HOUSE OF COMMONS.

Hokitika Guardian, 1 May 1924, Page 3

HOUSE OF COMMONS.

A Bit KAK FAST TAIiI.F. BI’BCKT. (it AN: FBI,Bit Tltll’.FTKß. (Iteeeived Ibis day at ld.2"> a.m.) BONBON, April :«). A pale, trail and crippled mail, the result. of a cycling accident years ago.. Mr Philip Snowden, delivered his first budget with clarity and precision in a speech which evoked gem-nil tributes from the crowded House. It will go down in history as a hieaklast table budget, lie said it was vindictive against no class and il conlerred thegreatest benefit on the greatest number.

lie won tlie good will ol the House |,v his opening statement that he saw ex-chancellors on the right of him and left of him and he hoped Hull when the lug guns volleyed and lliinideren they would have eniupas'i bis vouth and inexperience.

Till- Chancellor ll'scrlcd 'll' 1 l in ‘ | Ministry had n.-v-r Ih-H.-v.-.I that tin- interests of the- Kinpirc could be t best si-rvi-il in llic hoi" i'" l hy -'s- , ten. of i arilfs. Th.- Mim-tr> """hi ho , unable to t'li*!"r>i’ the ili'i'i>i"ii "I ' ts , predecessors ami it am .li l >t ***•" r “ . inojit was caused tin- Dominions >be j hit.- Ooveriimciil ain't bear tinpniisihili tv. Kvi-n ns late a> .M""day th" Austin- . linn politicians in lannlon declared that it was not mere leg-pulling that the Ministry inti-iulcl rearranging the duties to wive lnori- definite advantages to the Dominions, hut closer observers, in the face of the Ministry s difficult position with the Liberals, expected Mr Snowden’s decision to leave the matter free for discussion in the Mouse. The prulogatioii of the McKenna duties to three months is believed to he due to a compromise in the Cabinet at the eleventh hour. The Cabinet is still divided thereon, a number 01 Ministers going impressed hv union fears that industry will he gravely iinperilled if the duties are instantly allowed to lapse. Sir Hubert Horne foreshadowed a lively Conservative attack thereon, hv assorting the decision was typical of the Ministry's most callous null Hercnee to the .(iiestion of employment since it took oltii-e. Mr A-.piiih. on lb.- other hand, hailed the budget a- a wholly tree trade budget. T| u . Hudg.-t caused tense interest ill the city where opinion was greatly relieved. Bl.'l )fJKT COMMENT. LONDON'. April AO The “Times” editorially says the Budget is quite obviously an electioneering doeument. and deplores the hoveriinient’s refusal to confirm the Imperial preferenee resolutions. 0 “Times” savs—“We regret that any disappointment or inconvenience may ' be caused to the Dominions onil eolo„jes, in view of their contribution to 1 the ' larger patriotism whose achieve- ? ments may lie studied at AVcmhloy. ’ The Conservatives, at all events, make ' it clear that they entertain wider and 7 KU..er obligations ami interest.