BRITISH POLITICS.

Hokitika Guardian, 17 March 1924, Page 2

BRITISH POLITICS.

LATEST CABLE NEWS

1 [Reuters Telegrams.] army debate. LONDON, March 14. In the commons in untying the army 1 estimates. Mr Walsh explained JJjpVr"' ! estimates were prepared -by the previous government hut lie was satisfied f they were framed with due regard for economy and needs of the country. He declared if the German menace disap--5 reared, it. must be remembered that ! distant possessions cannot bo left del fenceless. Mr Walsh declared there was no sign of improvement in the ' ina policy of substituting machines for man power. They required a equipped research department which should lie one of the finest at was pioss- ; ihle to organise. He appealed to employers to faclitato employees joining 1 the territorials. There would ho no army manoeuvres in 1924, but jt slipjA period of inter-divisional operations ' They were getting a higher type of in- , telligonee in the army and a high state of discipline which enabled the detent- ’ ion barracks at Devonport and Colchester to be closed. The difficulties we had to contend with in Egypt, Irap, and the East would not at present warj rant a decrease in the strength of the

army. A motion iolative to pensions and grievances of certain rankers and officers was defeated by 220 to 201, after • Mr Baldwin had endorsed Mr___Mac- . don a Id’s suggestion of the nppointnigftt 1 of a committee to inquire into the whole matter. Brigadier-General Page-Croft pointed out that compared with 1914, wo had i educed our trained forces by 260.000. He said no other country had done anything like that. Major Attlee, replying to. the debate, said everyone was convinced we ought to draw officers from as many different strata of the population as We were well up to the standard of other armies in regard to inventions. The debate was adjourned. NAVY ESTIMATES. LONDON, March 14. Comment on the Navy Estimates is to he expected from the various party organs, namely, either the inadequacy of the programme or on the other hand, the absence ot' desirable economies in the expenditure. There are a few references only to tlio memorandum regarding the Dominion’s participation.' The “Morning Post” says it docs-not _ think the Dominions will consent to increase their taxation for the Navy in default of a settled basis of naval policy. The “Post” says that no Government lias stated, since the war, what the British naval policy is.

ANT I-LABOUR BILL. LONDON, March 15. The House of Commons by 211 rotes to 129 votes yesterday rejected tho second reading of the Trade Union Act, 191.3, Amendment Bill, providing that when a Trade Union carries a resolution in favour of political action, tho U* members desiring to contribute to tho support of political objects shall indicate their desire in writing, and shall not, as heretofore, lie automatically included as supporters, unless they contract out.

In moving the second reading of tho Bill, Captain Ainsworth (Conservative) said that the object of the Bill prevent tho Trade Unions from insisting on the members’ paying contributions for political purposes wherein they did not believe. lie asserted that Ike members at- present seeking to contract out were intimidated. Ho ended by referring to what he termed wealthy Members of the Cabinet, tho foundation of whose wealth in many „ eases was derived from Trade Union fund

Mr Tom , c 'iuit]i moved the rejection, of the Bilk He declared that tile reason for this Bill was that the Conservatives are anxious in regard to tho progress of the Labour Party. He denied the allegation of victimisation. If, lie said. Hie Trade Unionists’ political activities were hampered, they would compelled to rely more on strikes.

LONDON. March 11. As the outcome of yesterday’s Government defeat over the 11 o’clock... mb', Mr Clynos has lodged a motion that, until the eml of the financial year, the Government business shall have precedence at every sitting. This motion, if carried, will permit the Government to take up private members fimes on Tuesdays, ’Wednesdays, and Fridays. It may result in the shelving of the Miners’ Bill, the second reading of which is now due.

ELECTORAL REFORM. LONDON, -March 14. Dr Chappie, supported by many Liberals, including Mrs Wintringhnm, is introducing a Bill for inaugurating the alternative vote, otherwise preferential voting, at the Parliamentary elections, hut the counting system is different from the Australian one. All the second ami later preferences are to he distributed before any candidate is rejected. The candidate then commanding a majority will he determined by a method of averages similar to that of finding the quotas under proportional representation.