THE BRITISH PARLIAMENT

Hokitika Guardian, 23 July 1921, Page 3

THE BRITISH PARLIAMENT

AUSTRALIAN AND N.Z. CABLE ASSOCIATION. BRITISH NAVAL PLANS. LONDON, July 21. Rt. Hon. 51 r Lloyd George, in the House of Commons, replying to a question as to tbe object of the British Naval policy, said that the Government had neither committed itself to, hoi contemplat'd any naval building programme in answer to that of any other Power, flu the other hand, as the result of a frank, friendly discussion between the principal : aval Powers, it might be possible to avoid competitive naval building. It, would, however. be a dereliction of duty oil the part of the Admiralty lu said, to allow the efficiency and training and morale of the British Navy to deteriorate through any neglect in providing it with material that was equal to tlie l>est. Therefore it would he essential to replace any obsolete capital ships. This, indeed, would not affect tlie possible success of the 'Washington Conference on Disarmament.

PARSIMONY DENOUNCED. LONDON, July 21

There was an exciting debate iu the House oi Commons on a motion by .Mf Asquith to reduce the vote for the .Ministry of Health by one hundred pounds as a protest against the Government’s housing expenditure reductions. Dr Addison, who lately resigned the Ministry of Health, took an opportunity to make a vehement attack on the Government.

Dr Addison was loudly cheered by at expectant opposition. He denounced the eeninnin reduction in housing matters, when there were millions being spent on military operations in Russia or Mesopotamia, ' in Palestine and in Turkey. Mr Lloyd George made a fighting speech in reply,, rebuking Dr Addis-n in terms that delighted Coalition members. He commenced by taunting I) Addison with enjoying the freedom of a resigned Minister. There was, lie said, always plenty of zeal among the Opposition for its returned prodigals. Nevertheless) a few days ago lie was personally defending Dr Addison from his present friends, who now grudged him his foregone two months’ salary. Dr Addison was winning fame cheaply by sacrificing his two months’ salary. This utterance raised an uproar, and cries of ‘‘Limehouse!”" “Withdraw!”

Then the Speaker intervened. lie pointed out Dr' Addsion had strongly attacked the Government, and the Opposition must listen to the reply. The Speaker temporarily restored order, and Mr Lloyd George then continued. He said the Government’s policy was to avoid commitments which would enable builders to put up prices against the Government.

Interruptions now continued. They came from the 'Labour Party, which is angry. In a counter attack, Mr Lloyd George concluded: “Housing has been out down, because we are facing one of the gravest trade slumps Britain over witnessed, and the Government is Laced with a most anxious monetary situation. Mr Asquith’s amendment was rejected bv 255 votes to 67.