MOUSE OF COMMONS.

Hokitika Guardian, 28 February 1924, Page 3

MOUSE OF COMMONS.

THE POPLAR DERATE. ENDS IXOONYT.I "SI V ELY. iH JX I'KIIH Tki.uok.v US. j (Received this day al 12.23 p.tn ) LONDON. Feb. 27. The Poplar Debate was opened in the Commons by the Liberal. Mr Brinnt. who proposed the motion cabled on the !3tli. lie pressed the Government to introduce, at the earliest moment, a reform of poor law system which would deal with the existing anomalies. Mr Keens seconded. Mr "Wheatley replying, denied the allegation that he had surrendered !•> Poplar. II is speeeh n, largely an attack on his Conservative predecessors for their inaction in the matter. In the (ottr.se of describing the gravity of the controversy. ATr Wlieailov declared: “We have only done what our predecessors had not the courage to tackle. The late Government always knew that Poplar was breaking the law to the extent of two thousand weekly.” Replying to an interruption the Minister explained they were not \ot immune from .surcharge. The only lime the Conservatives had not remitivd surcharge's on the Poplar Guardians was in respect of an expenditure of £l*i for the school band which played outside the prisons in which the Poplar Guardians were detnuioil. Mr \N heatley concluded by defemling be action and promised a relonu ol Hie poor law system al the earliest possible moment. Sir Johnston Ilu-ly in looting the ('on creative Amendment det bired Mr Wheatley in remitting surcharges in

anticipation acted ultra vires. Mr Asquith said the motion was. not intended in embarrass Government, but to assert vita! principle.; in the poor law administration. Ho considered Mr Wheat!*.v had not dealt -"Hr the real issue Mr Asquith. ie-'tfJ thGovernment to afford a:-.;-.uv,*: 11 ■ nob record to the sand .toning of Intuit: illegal expenditure. Mr MacDonald declared the Government did not defend Poplar Administration. Mr Wheatley merely availed himself wisely or unwisely, of Ins powers to overcome tho difficulties ol l.’nplar administration. No illegal expenditure had been or would he sanctinli-

ed. Towards the dose of the debate, the Liberals showed a disposition to press their motion, but Sir Johnston Hidemoved the closure, which was defeated by 2!)o to 228. The effect ol ibis was that the Liberal motion and Conservative amendment were talked out and the debate came to an inconclusive end, the majority including a number of Liberals.

GOVERNMENT policy. LONDON, Feb. 27

fu the Commons, Mr I ’armour, replying to Lord Robert ('ceil, said that Government, would not shirk the >csponsihilitv for the disarmament policy It would not leave the matter to the League of Nations. Government would decide on its policy beinro V.eLeague meets in September.

M.P. WORRIES

LONDON, February 21

Commoners are urging Mr MaeDimald (n take .stops to stop religious and political organisation-; growing pi net ire oi sending mass post-card appeals on countless subjects, causing '.members expeuce. annoyance and undue pressure of work. Van loads are ariiving at f| k . House of Commons, peremptorily demanding answers and contain threats of withdrawal of support if the recipient ignores, or disagrees will, the writer’s views.