BRITISH POLITICS.

Hokitika Guardian, 18 January 1924, Page 3

BRITISH POLITICS.

LATEST CABLE NEWS

AUSTRALIAN AND N.Z. CABLE ASSOCIATION. REPLIES TO QL'E.STTOXS. 'Received this day at 8 1 . m.) LONDON. January Id. , Tii tlio House ol Commons, Air AleXoill (I'nder-.Sc eretiny for Foreign Affairs) defended tlie* Government's jsoli.y in regard to tlie I?tillr. lie claimed that those criticising tile Gorenui’ent on the ground that British prestige had lieen le.st. were wrong. General Harington said that, British prestige ill (he Near East was never higher. (Jiord Alienin' .sl-iiid Hie same about Egypt. One of the Dominions’ leaders at the Imperial Conference told him that wherever he went lie was counted as a Briton.

Mr McNeill concluded by saying that according to all reports Mr MacDonald himself was going to the Foreign Ollice. Air AlcXeill confidently predicts that before ninny months AD .MacDonald, would tell the Commons tintt he was completely disillusioned. Replying to Afr Floyd George. Air Neville Chamberlain (.Minister of Health) said that Germany had now agreed to give an undertaking to eventually undertake reimbursement. A German representative was on the way to England to discuss Lhe method. Air Chfiiidieile-in detailed the stops taken to ensure the Fig stocks of steel that were accumulated in the occupied territories, and which are estimated at two to three and a half million tons, should not dispose of in a way likely to dislocate the world’s market. A British Commission was proceeding thither ami Britain had suggested the, establishment of an inter-AUiod Disposals Board. The French had arranged not to license exports exceeding the average rate of export in 19*22. Replying to Sir .John Simon. Air Chamberlain thought the present reparations in kind were less than before the' occupation of the Ruhr. He was of the opinion, in view of M. Poinciire’s assurances, that no industrial arrangement between the French and German firms had hitherto been made and the .British Government, woiijld he given the fullest chance of expres-

sing its views if an agreement was proposed. The House of Commons then adjourn-

The hahmir no-confidence amendment will lie mured to-morrow. A further separate Labourite amendment lias lieen put down for the Dltli.

Keotlish Labourites me demanding n Scottish Home Rule amendment which is regarded in the nature of a manifesto, since all the- Scottish Labourites favour Home Rule, although tlie party as a whole lias not adopted this policy.

LABOI’R’K FOREIGN POLICY. LONDON. January 17. 'l’ho “Daily Telegraph's” Diplomatic correspondent in prognosticating I.ubnur’.s foreign policy, expresses the opinion that Labour will rely extensively on publicity. .Moreover, regarding European pacification and reconstruction, they will not he content to criticise the proposals of other Governments lint will themselves frame a programme and go boldly to the Allied Governments, particularly France, declaring that the old controversies should lie dropped, and ask for wlioleL*-' hearted collaboration, intimating that should this be refused no complaint need afterwards be made. If collaboration is accepted fioni other ajjarlers Labour will endeavour to secure. by special delegations, fuller Information on the slate of opinion in the various remit,lies than is obtainable through old-time diplomatic channels. It is suggested that such a delegation, while seeking enlightenment, may also convey enlightenment to the countries i visited, where tbo r f, id facts ol the European «.if,uatioii h.y: I won oh; e'.Te.l • "Brief.,, 'dint t< rropoted v the tii; cheat'.ott of minion my .'.xAho.! t'-'o effect v. hereof .". is d’ffvmß to prsdset C'JIFRdIfLL TO FIGHT SOCIALISM. LONDON. January 17. It is understood that Air Winston Churchill proposes to announce that he is rejoining the Unionists to fight Socialism. He is denouncing Afr Asquith and Afr Lloyd George for the way they they treated hint over the election. FIRST LA BO f' I! AYOAIAN’S SPEECH. LONDON. Janiiry 10. In the Commons, among the many maiden speeches, the greatest interest was evidenced in that of Mrs Susan Lawrence, sire being the first Labour woman " heard in tlie British Parliament, which was deeply impressed. Mrs Lawrence, slim, grey-haired and spectacled, presented an earnest figure as she pleaded tlie cause of necessitous school children, Sire contended Unit the wholesale cutting down of the expenditure on children's meals was illegal and demanded th" opinion of the law officers. Slie argued that the Board of Education was reactionary in other matters. NO-CONFIDENCE .MOTION AIOYED LIBERALS ADVISED TO SCRPOUT.

(Received tins (lav at 11.45 a.m.) LONDON, Jail. 17. in the Com him ns, Mr J. B- C'ly n t-s moved tin l no-confidence motion.

Mr Asquith advised all Liberals to support it.