BRITISH POLITICS.

Hokitika Guardian, 18 June 1924, Page 3

BRITISH POLITICS.

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AUSTRALIAN AND N 7.. CAULK ASSOCIATION GOVERXALENT DOS PI DIVISION. LONDON, June 17. In the House of Commons the Government was defeated by 181) to 120 votes on certain minor details of the Traffic Rill, hut no political significance attaches to the vole. -Air (’lyiics stated the Government accepted the decision of the House. IMPERIAL PREFERENCE DEBATE. (Received this day at 11. -~> a.m.) LONDON. June 17. Tile Dominion gallery in the House of Commons, and Liberal and Labour Benches were early filled for the Imperial preference debate. Sir Lloyd Graeme moved the first of ten resolu-tions,-of which notice had been given in the name of .Air Baldwin. 'I he first four of these proposed Imperial preference without imposing any new charge of the foreigner, while the remainder did impose such a charge. AVliilo there is small chance of the Opposition carrying the last six resolutions there is a chance of their carrying the first four, if their appeal for a non-party debate succeeds. I lie Opposition in this connection looks to sixty Labour members of tbe British Commonwealth to give a lead to their party. The first resolution proposes that Imperial figs, raisins, plums and currants should he imported duty free, LONDON. June 17. Mr Lloyd George pointed out that the resolutions comprised the whole of the preference proposals of the Imperial Economic Conference. He quoted the. opinions of the Dominions Premiers at the Conference in favour of preference and he urged the House should not go hack on the considered view of the Conference.

Mr J. TI. Thomas (Colonial Foe.) snid that while the resolutions would be left to it free vote of the House and the Government would accept its verdict, the Government themselves proposed to vote against the resolutions. He announced the Government had reconsidered, its earlier decision which required an economic committee and was prepared, if the Dominions desired to consider the question, not on the lines of the Committee as proposed, hut perhaps, ad hoc. a body something like a shipping hoard, the Dominions would ho consulted regarding that aspect.