HOUSE OF COMMONS.

Hokitika Guardian, 7 March 1924, Page 2

HOUSE OF COMMONS.

HV TKI.KGKAI’II —I’ItKRS ASSN., COPYRIGHT. DISCUSSION IN HOUSE. 'LONDON', March 5. In the Commons, Mr Shaw accepted the principle underlying the motion by Mr Compton calling on the Government to proceed without delay with a 101 l introduced by the Government of the day in 1919. for the constitution of a Commission to inquire into the question of a legal minimum rate ol wages. At the same ime. the Minister .said Government’s approval of the mot'ou must be tempered by the facts of the situation. Mr Frank Hodges said trouble "its looming in the coal industry due to the miners demand for a subsistence wage. The motion was agreed to. Replying to it question, Mr Ammon said no decision had been made in ivgatd to Singapore base. Tile matter at present was under consideration. REVIEW OF FLEET. [Reutkitr Tkleghams.J LONDON, March 5. In the I louse of Commons M.r Ammon stilted the question of holding a naval review at Spithead at the end ol July in connection with the Empire Exhibit ion was being considered. A TRADE BILL. LONDON, March 5. The House of Commons, by 297 votes to 13 votes, read for the second time, the Trade Facilities Bill. A few revolting hack hemh Ministerialists opposed ihe Rill, and challenged the division, owing lo the proposal to guarantee a loan of !_'•'),olP.fLOO to a Sudan plant.atioiis syndicate in the interests of cotton growing. LONDON, March 5. In the House of Commons, the main grounds for the Tyncsiders opposition to the Soudan Cotton Syndicate loan was their objection to State assistance going to a private concern which tliov contended was making huge profits. NO BETTING TAXATION. LONDON, .March 5. In |he Douse of Commons, replying to a question. Mr I’hillip Snowden stated that the Government had careI'ullv considered the report ol toe Betting Committee. After reviewing the whole question, he concluded that il would he against the public interest to make changes in which the law would lie involved. ASYLUM SCANDAL. LONDON, March 5. I!t Hon Mr Wheatley, Minister of Public Health, in the House of Commons announced that five thousand pounds will he paid to Mr ILaruelt immediately .ml of the public funds in consequence ol the verdict lor damages given in Mr Harnett’s favour on account of his wrongful detention in an asylum. The reason for this was that Dr Bond (one of the medical men

against whom the damages were awarded) wits a public servant, and as Bund was sued on actions which he Imd taken in Hie performance of his public duty. If further sums were neeessarv, lie said, it would he paid to llarnolt. An appeal against the verdict has been lodged. LONDON TRAFFIC. LONDON. March IS. In the Commons Mr Oosliug stated tl. e fort booming lull relating to London (ralfic will prohibit Imrse-drawn vehicles in the congested area during busy bolus. BRITISH CABINETS DECISION. AO A INST THE BASK. LONDON. March 9. The “Daily Mail” understands that Cabinet has decided not lo proceed with the Singapore base.