THE BRITISH PARLIAMENT

Hokitika Guardian, 17 February 1921, Page 3

THE BRITISH PARLIAMENT

BY TELEGRAPH—PRESS ASSN., COPYRIGHT. AUSTRALIAN AND N.Z. CABLE ASSOCIATION. QUESTIONS AND REPLIES. LONDON, Feb. 15. in the Commons Mr Thomas raised the question of the Mallow shootings and detailed the results of inquiries by Trade Union delegates, showing the Crown forces were highly blameworthy. The recital was punctuated with cries of “shame,” from Labourites. Hon Lloyd George replying to Mr Asquith, said the discussion of new arrangements under the Peace Treaty would be very undesirable before the pending conference, which Germany attends. He did not consider the proposals agreed to, were departures from the Versailles Treaty. Government proposed to table Lord Milner’s repo it on the .Middle East, but was unprepared to say the extent of the report before discussing with representatives of the Dominions. Strickland’s report satisfied the Government that there had been acts of indiscipline on the part of uniformed forces, but be was unable to locate these persons. He promised an investigation into the Mallow shootings.

THE ADDRESS DEBATE. LONDON, Feb. 15. Hon Clymes, on behalf of the Labour Party, lodged an amendment to the Address, regretting the King's Speech did not recognise the right o- genuine unemployed to work, or of adequate maintenance. Following the mover and seconder of the Address, Hon Asquith expressed satisfaction that the legislation foreshadowed covered a comparatively small area compared with speeches in recent years. He welcomed the meeting of the Allied Premiers, and representatives of Germany and Turkey in London. and desired to know the scope and purpose of the conference.

HOUSE OF LORDS. LONDON, February 15. The House of Ixmls has agreed to the Address-in-Repl.v. Lord Curzoii replving in tho debate, paid a tribute to General Smuts. He was, he said, a patriot-stattpsiiGin. His election triumph would not only boa, victory for South Africa, but for the Empire as a whole. He added that the condition of Europe was brighter and more full of hope than a year ago.

HOUSE OF LORDS REFORM. LQNDON, February 15. In the House of Commons, Mr Asquith referring to the Reform of the House of Lords said:—A more modest a'spinaitiojn, t-oujehed in more diffuse terms, suffused with a mme pronounced tinge of ultimate mistrust, was never put into the n outh of the sovereign since King’s Speeches become a recognised Parliamentary institution. IMPERIAL DEFENCE MOVE. LONDON, February 16. In the House of Commons Mr Lloyd George replying to an amendment to the Address, urging the co-ordination between the Army, Navy and Air Forces, admitted the necessity of coordination, but said there should also bo co-ordination between the various parts of the Empire. The defence of the Empire should, he said, be an Imperial concern. Mir Lloyd. George continued: “It is too much to ask these small islands to undertake the defence of this gigantic empire.” The knowledge that tjie Empire stood together, he declared, would be the best guarantee against, the shedding of blood.

THE MALLOW SHOOTINGS. IN HOUSE OF COMMONS. LONDON, February 15. ■ Tn the course of a speech .m the House of Commons, Mr Thomas (Railwaymen’s Federation Secretary) referred to the murd' r of rnihvaymen by Crown forces at Mallow, in Ireland. Mr Thomas said that a Mrs King was shot. After this, the police came to the railway station, and .said that if, this woman died then 15 of the rnilwaymen would be shot. Then four railwayman were captured. They were marched to the police barracks. There they were beaten by the police with their fists and with revolvers. They were told to carry the body of the woman from a military motor to a cell. When the railwaymen were released, next morning, they were told to run through the streets, and of the 15 four of them were shot dead. Cries of “Shame!” greeted the statement.