BRITISH POLITICS.

Hokitika Guardian, 16 May 1924, Page 2

BRITISH POLITICS.

M’KENXA DUTIES. U’BIRALIAN AND N.Z. CARLE ASSOCIATION. LONDON, May 13. The House of Commons was crowded for the debate on Air Baldwin’s vote of censure.

Mr Baldwin said that British motorears, known on the Australian market, were superseded by Aineriesii cars during tlie war time, and it was still doubtful whether we could recover the market. This decision would make it still more difficult. Furthermore. Canada benefited by preference given her under the McKenna duties, and the production of Canadian motor-ears increased largely, aided by American ea) ital invested in Canada to get tlio benefit of preference. He feared the Government had dealt a blow at Canadian trade which, coupled with the Government’s action in regard to Imperial preference, would make the Dominions less responsible to any idea of reciprocity. He suggested nn impartial enquiry into the question of the McKenna duties.

Mr Snowden (Chancellor of the Exchequer') declares that the motor trade had ample notice to change the conditions. He aroused much opposition by attacking the agitation allegedly carried on by employers among workers, and asked what good the duties had done the motor trade, seeing that <(» per cent, of British manufactures were specialised ill British type to the exclusion. of American competition.

The British motor-car trade would find that- it did not want protection when it got rid of watered capital and put its affairs oil a sound financial basis. There could he no compromise over the withdrawal of the duties. Nine Liberals supported the motion, but no Labourite voted against the Government. lICitXKY SCHEME REJECTED. LONDON, May 15. In the Commons. Air Alacdoiiald announced the Government had rejected the Airship Guarantee Company’s scheme for Imperial airships commonly known as the Burney scheme, because it would create a virtual monopoly. It contained features objectionable on financial and technical grounds. The Government nevertheless expressed the opinion that it was essential to carry out as soon as possible a constructive programme of airship development. It was proposed to authorise the Air .Ministry to initialise forthwith a comprehensive programme of lighter than air research experiment including large scale experiments with existing airships. They would undertake the construction of a new airship with a capacity of live million cubic feet ; also the const ruction of terminal and intermediate bases overseas to enable these two ships to safely operate, between England and India simultaneously. The Air Ministry will give the Airship Guarantee Company the iirst oiler of the contract fur the second ship for commercial purposes. Alt’ .MacDonald, in reply to question, refused to state where the overseas base for the airships is to lie situated as it was not in the public interest to do so.

THE AT RSI-Ill’ SCH KAFR. LONDON, Afay I!

Air MacDonald added that the eontract would include a clause permitting the constructors to repurchase their ships from the Air .Ministry at a reduced figure on the completion of satisfactory triids. provided that it he <>i>eratod in connection with a:i approved British e.iunuercial airship, and would be available for use by the State. The existing air-bin stations at Cai’dinglou and Fulham would remain a proper! v of tile State, instead of passing into private hands, while ownership of the new base overseas would be also vested in the State. A three veins' programme only would be authorised in the first instance. The „ estimated expenditure for three years did not exceed £1,200.000. Supplementary estimates in this connection would shortly bo .submitted.