BRITISH POLITICS.

Hokitika Guardian, 30 May 1924, Page 2

BRITISH POLITICS.

LATEST CABLE NEWS

ÜBTKAI.IAN AND N.Z CABLE ASSOCIATION.

THE LIBERALS DIVIDED.

LONDON, .May 29 The "Daily Express” understands Mr Asquith proposes to advise the Liberals to save the Government at Thursday’s critical unemployment i’ivision, on the ground that a general election at present would lie most unpopular; the Liberals not being prepared for it. Mr Lluycl George, on the contrary, favours defeating the Government. Tiie "Daily Chronicle c.a Libe-al paper) says:—"A number of the Liberals will vote with the Couscrvaciios if left to take the line they choose. More will abstain. The Liberals fer-1 ihat they cannot continue indefinite.v defending the Government. ’There is no doubt Mr MacDonald will try to save the situation by intervening with promises, but the position is iiig’d .** critical. The "Daily Herald” admits that the divi-ion will he a critical one. D. says: —"lt remains to ho seen which of their leaders the Liberals will icl- -

VOLUNTARY CAPITAL LEVY. LONDON, May AThe "Financial Times” and ’ Financial News characterises Mr Asquith’s voluntary capital levy proposal as >m practicable. They affirm this is the city and hankers’ opinion. BRITISH EXPORTS. LONDON. May 28. Tn the House of Commons, Mr Limit stated that for the twelve months ended March 31st. the exports of Britain and the North of Ireland to the countries named were* valued as follows: To New Zealand. £20,028.000; to Australia, £5(1.336,000; to South Africa, £29,30:Kf011 : to Canada £27.152,000: to India £85.356,000; to France £40,508,060: to the l’nited States £57,503.009; to Germany. £11.042,009; to Italy, .£18.905.009; to Russia, £21,550.090.

EMPIRE MIGRATION. LONDON. May 28. In the House of Commons, Mr Marriot moved expressing disappointment at the slow progress made under the Empire Settlement Act. He urged the Government to give the In 1 lest efleet to the Act. The population of the Empire must lie evenly distributed. "While there was hardly room tor people to move in Britain. Canada and_ Australia were as empty as drums. He enlarged upon the effect an emigration policy would have in solving the unemployment difficulty and in expanding the export trade of Britain. Mr Limn, replying, .-aid the Government did not regard emgiration as a panacea for unemployment. The Government accepted the Economic* Conference resolution, and would continue to give effect to the overseas settlement policy. It had oflerod to pay half interest far five years, and onethird interest for a further live years on loans not exceeding 25 millions, raised in the Commonwealth for settlement purposes. I’iuiet* stipulated conditions it would enable Australia to have between four and five thousand new settlers during the next ten years. He hoped the oiler would lie accepted. It would pro*.e ol mutual advantage to Britain and Australia.

Colonel Amery said Mr Latin's s| ecch showed there had been no tault in carrying out the Act at this end. The Dominion Governments found it more difficult to carry out than they anticipated. They preferred to carry it out well, than too ambitiously. The motion was talked out.

Mr l.iinii. in the course of his speech said he considered New Zealand an ideal country for British settlers. lie regretted that only 7!)'. 9 out ol the expected ](!,()!;:) had emigrated there during 19211. AYGI.O-SOYIKT IIKLATTJYS. . COYKKIiKYCK OI'I'OSKD. J.OYDOY, .May 29. In tiie I louse of Lords. Lord Mayo moved for the immediate discontinuance of the Anglo-Soviet c inference, lit* said In* considered it wilt flirting witli Bolshevism. ’I his did not commend itself to the Kmpii'e. Lord I’ai'iuoor said tin* Government hoped the conference would continue until ai'i'angeents. satislactory to both countries, wen* reached, lie thought .there was no reason cciiv this result could not Is* obtained if outside partisan- abstained [null i iiteri'cronco. Tbo Government was endeavouring to speed up tin* negotiations, but there were it very large number of issues involved, several of which were of great import-

une". Tin* Government jeganled the attainment of an agreement as must

important to Kuropo

Lord Curzou declared the conlerence communiques had been negative, ambiguous. and obscure, lie did not wish to be unfriendly. Tltcrelore In* suggested a modification of tin* million, expressing the opinion that the conference should he brought to as early, a conclusion its possible. Jho House

agree I thereto,