BRITISH POLITICS.

Hokitika Guardian, 17 July 1924, Page 3

BRITISH POLITICS.

AUSTRALIAN AND N.Z. CARLE ASSOCIATION

SCOTTISH STONE OF DESTINY

(Received this (lay at 9.45 a.in.) LONDON, July 10.

'Micro wim great hilarity in the House of Commons when Air Kirkwood introduced u Dill to provide lor the removal of the Scottish Stone ol Destiny from Westminster Abbey to Holyrood Palace. Mr Kirkwood said that according to tradition the stone was Jacob’s pillow at Bethel. A\ hen he was fleeing -before his brother, Esau, Jacob’s family took it to Egypt and the Kings of Egypt long possessed it. then being taken to Ireland, lie did not know whether that was true, but anyhow the stone "as Scottish sandstone and lay at Scone for five <outlines until it was brought to England by Edward I. The stone was the. symbol of Scottish nationhood and a venerable relic. Scotland bad tried repeatedly to get it returned to Scotland but it was the seniment in London that was against its return. Air Apsley in opposing the Bill said tradition stated the stone was brought to Scone to be presented to the Pope ■as a reward for converting Scotland to Christianity. The god Odin, incensed at another deity who bad been making eyes at his wife, threw the stone at his head, but it, fortunaely. missed anil fell in Scotland. 'Hie Bill was road a first time bv ‘2Ol to 171. A HILL KILLED. (Received this day at 11.25 a.in.) LONDON. July 10. Sir Guy Gaunt’s Afcrcliandisc Afiirks Bill Ims been practically killed as the result of two abortive meetings of the Standing Committee of the Commons, to whom the Bill was committed for consideration. The measure goes to the bottom of the list referred to the Committee, which nt this stage of the session means the end of the Bill.

A ITERATION OE A TITLE. (Received this day at 10.25 a.in.) LONDON, July 10. .In the House of Commons, replying to Afr Barnes, who suggested the alteration of the title of the Secretary of State for the Colonies so as to include Dominions, the Mon. .1. 11. Clynes said the nuostion had been considered periodically during the last few years, hut it was always felt there was no pressing need or desire for a change.