BRITISH POLITICS.

Hokitika Guardian, 19 February 1924, Page 2

BRITISH POLITICS.

LATEST CABLE NEWS

(“Sydney Sun" Cables). LONDON, February 17. The Government's fust hill proposes that an additional six hundred thousand he spent in unemployment payments thus bridging the present gap tlnee weeks after unemployed have received twelve week’s benefit. Messrs R. Smillie, G. Baiislniry. Wallhoa«i. Morel. Hayes, Alaxton. Snell, Scurr, Edwards, and Johnston. and Misses Jewson and Lawrence have been appointed by tho Labour .Party to act as their liaison optniniiteo as between tiie Labour Party and the Government. Three others are to he nominated by tlie Government.

It is explained that Air Ponsonby’s recent reference to Parliament in reply to r question made by tlie late Government entailing possibly, a small cession of tomtom by Britain, does not, refer to a debt settlement-—but to Nihalaml in Africa, which may be ceded to Italy under an Allied war-time understanding PREFERENCE IN PRACTICE. LONDON. February 17.

Mi li. i,. Bcainlianip. on behalf ot th. Free Trade l'nion. and Lord Shetfeld 'in behalf of the Cobden Club, have mndi a point statement drawing attention to the disquieting iact that some of tie- five traders do not appear to realise that Imperial preference is in elf eel protection that is accorded to the subjects of the Empire at the expense of the taxpayers of the United Kingdom. Preference, while reducing the revenue, they state, it affords to the consumer of the preferred goods no relief. They add that already £1,500.000 has been transferred from the pocket; of the sugar consumers to the poi Lets of the colonial sugar producers instead of the Treasury. The infringement of the principle of tree trade lias ah early created invested interests at Home and in the Empire abroad. EIGHT Imi l! DAY LAW. LONDON, February 17. Miss Margaret Bondlield. speaking atBattersea, announced iliat the Government, as .vain as possible, would introdi.ee in the House of Commons an Eight Hours' Day Bill. LOCAL OPTION bill. LONDON, February 17. Despite support from Mr Lloyd George and All- Snowden, a bill to allow lecal option in AYales was tleleateil in Hie House of Common* by 2S of a majority. It proposed local polls ill 1929 and every three years after, a hare majority to close hotels and slop clubs. Hit Liberals supported, the Conservative! opposed and Labour was divided on the Bill, especially regarding clubs. Lady Astor alleged Labour's attitude, was due to fear of clubs. She appealed to —.hour to support the Bill as being democratic and progressive. Mrs \\ inti ingham also supported it. Air Lloyd George said the country could only aifnrd £100.000,000 a year on liquor, even if half of this went in taxes. Airs G. Gaunt, said the bill’s supporters wore a very small band of fanatics. Lady Asi-oi had quoted the Dominions, but the convictions for drunkenness in Caned;'-. Australia and New Zealand had largely increased since local option began. Air Snowden said that people in any locality hail a right to decide this matter. The principle was a part of Labour’s policy for 20 years. Cries of “No!” Air Snowden .said some 1110111111' evidently were not familiar with tliei 1 piqty’s programme.

TO SAVE EUROPE. FAR,IS, February 10. Mr liamsay AlaeDenalil, when the correal' undent of the “Le -Matin” in London, AI. Sauervein, interviewed him emphasised tiiat lie had nut committed himself regarding an international race hatructioa cotiferencc. vjti'.ii ci coiiiortiiee must be tiie end not u-'-lats 0. r.rcliminary examination completely classified the problems. He desired a frank, honest exchange of views with France, through the Ambassadors, ami, if necessary, by pel sonal correspondence. Differences of opinion did not matter provided they were without ulterior motive. He 11011csilv intended to discuss ideas and not to attack individuals, lie would use neither strategy nor complicated formulae in diplomacy, but would proceed sti aight-forwaidly solely devising to alleviate Europe’s sufferings by settling a lew of the essential problems in agieeinent with France. He was strongly idealistic and believed in the possibility of human progress, hut he regretfully admitted the war-like elements were gaining ground in Germany. He expressed the opinion that we had not used, the best means to support the mural elite in. Germany, who to-day, wire almost decimated by misery. The gcoil elements in Germany must he strengthened, and iniperiali.stie bellicose ideas of the Junkers must be eradicated. France and Britain should co-operate morally, economically and politically in order to eradicate everything-* bad in Europe. He concluded: “Let us work with confidence.”