BRITISH POLITICS.

Hokitika Guardian, 10 May 1924, Page 3

BRITISH POLITICS.

(“Sydney Sun” Cables). PI! EM IKK VISITS EXHIBITION'. LONDON, ..May 8. Mr MacDonald (Premier) accompanied by Mr J. H. Thomas (Colonial See.) made their first visit to the Empire Exhibition in the presence of many representatives of the British, Colonial and Foreign newspapers. He opened the Press Chib and in his speech he dwelt on tho Imperial importance of the Exhibition. He said he was convinced tlnvt it u’ouhl succeed. He hoped that in a few months they might be able to provide an Empire wireless service which must !>e efficient and

cheap and directed by the best brains, Referring to the forthcoming naval review Mr Thomas said that even of greater strength than the silent navy was the genius for freedom, moral power and singleness of purpose. A conservative RECK PIT. LONDON, May 8. Considerable interest was evinced in Mr Winston Churchill’s speech at Liverpool because it was the first Conservative meeting he had addressed for twenty years.

Mr Churchill scathingly attacked the (Government. He declared that .'then. Budget was an example, from lieginliing to end, of Socialistic inconsistcney and insincerity. He defended the M’Kenna duties, and condemned the Government attitude on Imperial pre-

ference. The ex-Libei'al Minister finally declared:—‘'.My policy is a strong, active Conservative Party, united under its own loaders and with a Liberal wing co-operating in order to make common cause in an endeavour to secure the defeat of Socialism at the polls. Such co-operation would involve adherence to the Conservative Party to the broad, progressive policy such as its leaders have now definitely adopted. That is the only road to victory.”

labour budget welcomed LONDON, May 8,

Mr Asquith, speaking at Chelmsford said the Budget was not a. Labour Budget, hut a Liberal and Eree Trade Budget, for which the Liberal Party intended to vote whole-heartedly. The Government had shown wisdom and coinage in withstanding the demands for these ridiculous colonial preferences and in the repeal of the M’Kcnna duties. He hoped they would not yield over the latter, which were not imposed originally for protective purposes, hut simply because it was vital that cargo spate should not he occupied in war time by cumbrous objects of luxury. The Lilreral leader was of the opinion that it was unlikely there would he a dissolution during the next twelve months.

A USTR ALIA N PR EF E R ENCK. LONDON May 7. In the House of Commons Sir V. Bowator (Con. London) asked if the Chancellor of the Exchequer would reconsider his decision regarding Inipoiinl preference in view of the loss to the British paper industry and the great increase in unemployment caused by the threatened loss of £1! per ton preference on English made ncwspiint delivered in Australia over foreign supplies.

Air W. Graham, Eimmcial Secretary to the Treasury, said lie was aware that the Australian Government intended to alter the. arrangement, hut negotiations had been progressing for some time lor the conclusion of a trade agreement between Australia and Canada.

LABOUR CO MMOX WE A LTII

LONDON, May IV

Twenty Labour Commoner... including Alt' Lnnsbury organised a group lor the special study of Empire affairs miller the title'of I,about Couhmoo-.,r-.->11!i. The group will consider i|iiestioiis relating to the Dominions, mamlaled territories, welfare of the native races, and will stress importance of visiting Dominions, and receiving Dominion visitors. AIR BA LDAYIN'S AI OTIC) N. LONDON, May 8. In the Commons, Mr Clynes. in announcing that Mr Baldwin’s motion would lie taken on the UUh.. said that • ithough the motion was not couched in ordinary terms, the Government regarded it as a note of censure. NAVAL DISCUSSION.

(Received this day at 10.1.7 ".in.) LONDON: May 0.

A Government defeat on the Budget is always a serious matter, in view ol .Mr. Clynes' announcement that the (jovernment is hound to treat defeat* on Tuesday in the conventional way of adjourning the 11 in: si* and considering its position, hut the chance of defeat is inlinitisimil, as Liberal support for the Covernmeiil is certain, while the Labourites who favour the McKenna duties are hound to rally to the Governmenf’s support, after the statement bv .Mr. Clynes.

The desirableness of a policy ol disarmament on the one hand the provision of equipment for dockyards on the other hand, were the main points debated during the discussion on Ihe Naval Estimates in the Commons. The Coiiservaties persisted in the necessity for improving the Singapore dockyard. Mr. Amery said that there was an overwhelming case for the modernisation of at least one dockyard east of the Sue/ Canal, and in such an event there was no doubt which should be chosen.

Mr. Ammon, replying. said the Government, noted with the greatest friendliness and pleasure the American Senate’s resolution regarding the limitation of armaments conference, ft would do everything possible so far as Britain was concerned, to show a reciprocal desire to enter into such negotiations and discussions. The Admir.nlby experts were studying the question of how the development of higher offensive power of different weapons might materially alter the position of dockyards strategically. One difficulty concerned the welfare of the population which would grow up around and are dependent upon the existing dockyards. Opinion is now altered on all sides regarding the desirableness of adopting the Geddes Committee’s suggestion to dispose of Pembroke dockyard, but the Admiralty was quite ready to sell Sheerness for commercial purposes.