BRITISH POLITICS.

Hokitika Guardian, 11 April 1924, Page 2

BRITISH POLITICS.

["BY TELEGRAM! —PER TRESS ASSOCIATION.] ANTI-EVICT 10X5 BILL LONDON’, April 10. When the House of Commons opened, the day after the Government defeat, it was dull till Mr MacDonald, in reply to Mr Baldwin, said the AntiEviction Bill could not be introduced again this session. The Government, however, thought it possible satisfactorily to amend a Bill that was introduced by Mr P. D. Simons (a Liberal), which was read a second time, and the passage of this Bill, the Government would facilitate after it had been satisfactorily amended. The Government, he .said, had not abandoned its proposal to make assistance to the unemployed a public charge, but the public funds used would be local funds.

TURKISH HOPES. LONDON, April 9 The “Daily Telegraph’s” diplomatic correspondent says: In view of a debate in the House of Commons on Wednesday on the Lausanne Treaty, it is significant that Turkish naval critics apparently officially Inspired, emphasise the fact that, while foreign warships may pass through the Straits, they cannot practice enforcement on Turkey, despite the demilitarisation of the coastal strip. The critics say that demilitarisation will only prevent fixed batteries. It will not prevent the maintenance within an hour’s distance of powerful rail and motor-drawn batteries which could be rushed to Gallipoli and Clianak, where they could command the water

way. They say that Turkey menus to obtain an adequate fleet of submarines, for which the Dardanelles ofier admirable facilities. The critics emphasise that Cheemeek Bay and the Dull' of Isolid present exceptional opportunities as naval, aerial and submarine bases, and they recall that the Allied fleets’ failure to force the Straits in 1915, was due primarily to floating mines. IX THE COMMON'S. Received this day at 9.25 a.in.) LONDON, April IV. In the Commons Mr *l. li. I humus stated that as some ol the Dominions objected to the publication of tneir papers with regard to their acceptance of the obligations contained in the Treaty of Lausanne, the Government was unable to publish the papers. The new Eviction Bill, introduced by -Mr Wedgewood Levan, prohibits the eviction of distressed tenants and provides for the reimbursement of claims by the local authorities. The tenant is to be provided with a certificate of immunity from eviction. The local authorities are to investigate an Applicants resources and it necessary supplement them sufficiently to enable him to retain possession, the authorities to claim a rotund of part of the money spent from the treasury. The bill was read a first time.

The Conservatives accused the Government of evicting unemployed lroui Government property itt Woolswich. Colonel Amery’s speech irritated the Labourites who called Amery a ’Tittle swine”. Later Buchanan Maxton approached Colonel Amery and ail angry altercation followed and blows were exchanged until other members sopartcd the combatants.

The debate was resumed on Colonel Gregg’s amendment to the Lausanne Treaty Bill. Mr Lloyd George in referring to Canada declining to he bound by the obligations of the treaty because she was not invited to the conference, declared the omission to invite the Dominions was a very grave departure from a round precedent and must disastrously affect the unity of Iho Empire unless it was made clear that it was not the position taken up by the British Government. lie denounced the trealv as humiliating. cowardly

and possibly caiamiLiotis. Mr Baldwin said that too great a price had been paid lor the straits. The Government of that day had not any idea the Dominions were not with them.

Mr MacDonald said the Straits Conventions could not he separated irotii the treaty. The Dominions, although represented at Sevres did not participate in the negotiations. Now Zealand, Australia, and South Africa-

were in the same position as Canada regarding the Lausanne Treaty. They were represented by lh<* same British delegates and they received the same

supported rat ideal ion. Colonel Greggs withdrew his amend ment and the hill was read a secant lime.