BRITISH POLITICS.

Hokitika Guardian, 21 February 1924, Page 2

BRITISH POLITICS.

lUSTRALIAN AND N.Z. CABLE ASSOCIATION. AIRSHIP SCHEME. LONDON, Feb. 19. In the House of Corntfionus, Mr Ramsay Macdonald said, in reply to n question, that until the " Government had time to examine the matter, they could not give an assurance that the Imperial airship scheme would be'Vub- , mit ted for Parliament's approval. The Daijy Telegraph’s Parliamentary correspondent says: It is believed by the Members of Parliamentinterested in the scheme that the Air Secretary has another .scheme prepared. which has been submitted tfftlie Treasury. It is understood the basis of it is the recommissioning by the AitMinistry of two of the old air.slips, and the building of a ne\V one for experimental purposes. If the Government. adopted this .scheme as a stitute for tho scheme of Commander Burney, the effect- would he to prevent the founding <fT an airship industry in England, and to keep airshTpnsiy completely ill the hands of the Air ■ Ministry. This would destroy the possibility of commercial development in airships. The M’s.P. interested intend to seize the first opportunity to challenge the Government on the subject.”

LEAGUE OF NATIONS

LONDON, Feb. 20. Air It. AlacDonald and Lord Parmoor received a deputation from tho League of Nations’ Union. —— oil advocated that the British Govern-’ meat should impress upon other Governments that they really did mean business, and should emphasise that there was the closest union between the League of Nations’ policy and tho general policy of the country. Ho also pleaded for closer co-operation among the Government- departments concerning the League’s work.

In reply Air AlacDonald gave an as-_._ suranee that Lord Cecil’s suggestions 7. would be at once adopted by tho Government. The Government, he said, was anxious to remove all the difficulties. “We,” lie said, “are blamed for being idealists. We tire idealists frankly and nnrepeiitantly ; but we recognise the need for a co-ordinated policy. Tho Government will do everything possible to make the League of Nations a real force.

Lord l’armoor (Lord President- oF tho Council) said that he, like tho Prime Al blister was an idealist, but he re'eognised the- inability to attain their full aims immediately. The League of Nations and the Foreign Office were now in the closest relationships’ The League was not only a part of the Foreign Office, but it was in touch with all the other Government departments. He believed sincerely that the Government would ratify the League’s eight hours day convention.