BRITISH PARLIAMENT

Hokitika Guardian, 11 December 1924, Page 2

BRITISH PARLIAMENT

[Keutkhs Telegrams.J OPENING SCENES. DOXDON, December 0. Beyond t Inf presence of a large force ot police and a more vigilant surveillance ol the entrances to Parliament, there was no untoward incident at the opening of the session. Scarcely a thought seemed to he given to any Egyptian plot, AYhitehall and other approaches to AA'estminster being densely thronged by enthusiastic spectators wh 0 accorded an ovation to the Prince of AA ales as he passed a few minutes before the Royal procession, which was a most imposing array of magnificence. Guards Regiments lined the route, and attachments of Life Guards in glittering uniforms were included in the procession. Their Alajestics unceasingly acknowledged the crowds’ unbroken chorus of cheering which culminated in a rousing welcome at the gates of the House. The scene in the House of Lords was a most brilliant spectacle of colour and jewels'. Among the large asseinblance of the diplomatic corps were representatives of Russia and Egypt. These were the only countries the refrences to which in the King’s speech were embarrassing. Both representatives, however, sat unmoved. The outstanding feature of the King’s Speech, which was unusually long, was the frequency o' the references to Dominion affairs, substantiating Air Baldwin’s platform pledges to make; Empire development a first rank consideration. The Speech declared: “It is the firm conviction of my Government that in the closest co-operation with the Governments of the Dominions and India the achievement of nil matters of mutual concern lies, lioih in the industrial progress and the increasing of the unity and strength of the Empire. This will he a guiding principle of its administration. The policy of encouraging Empire settlement and mutual trade within the Empire is one which my advisers deem of the greatest importance and to which they will steadfastly adhere. Proposals based on the recoimnen. dations of the Economic Conference of last year will he. submitted, granting further preference on goods from the Empire. The Government proposes, in accordance with the resolutions of the last Imperial Conference, to proceed with the plans already made for enlarging the Singapore base.” The High Commissioners occupied seats in the Lord Client Chamberlain’s box. DEBATE ON ADDRESS. LONDON, Deecinhr 0. In the House of Commons, the mover of the Address-in-lteply was Air Ellis (Conservative), and the seconder Lord llalniel. Roth emphasised t,hc importance of improving Imperial trade. The Deader of the Opposition, Aft.MacDonald, said the first product of . (lie Government was a King’s Speeeeh of extraordinary length, and very lit- ... tie substance. The Government had no police in regard to food prices anil agricultural, lie asked how the Government was going to submit ease of the Geneva Protocol to tho Dominions. AYas there going to lie a special Dominions’ conference, and, if so, would the International Conference on Armaments he postponed? Air AlMcDonald urged that no time ! ought to he lost in coming in an agreement with Egypt in regard to the future of Anglo-Egyptian relations. Any arrangement must he assented to by the Egyptian Parliament. The Leader of the Opposition asked if Mr Baldwin were going to run Imperial prelerence with a tax on food, lie asked: “ AYere we going in have tinned salmon again!" (Daughter). Replying to the criticisms of ATr Al McDonald and Air Dlovd George, tho Prinm Al mister (Air Baldwin) said Cnvi'iiiim'iit would have been I'oolisli to rush Ihe acceptance of the Geneva Protocol without the fullest, investigation in conjunction with tho Dominions after a reference to Singapirc <as already cabled). Air Baldwin said that as regards he adhered to his previous statement that, while 1m would employ tls Safeguarding of Industries Act, tosafeguard efficient industries, in which a great amount of unemployment was due to unfair competition, he would not introduce protection during this Parliament, nor would ho use the Safe- _ guarding of Industries Act as a means to introduce it. _ “ The debate proceeded along original lines, and was adjourned till to-mor-row. The House of Lords agreed to tho Addross-in-Beply.

ALLIED DEIITS AND SINGAPORE. LONDON, December 10. The most interesting points in yesterday’s debate in the House oi ('ominous were Singapore and the Allied debts to Britain. When the Speaker, read the King’s Speech, references to public economy, lie was greeted by Labour cries of “economy!” Air Lloyd George emphasised the fact that the British taxpayers were paying £ 12(1,000,000 annually oil account of Allied debts, and lie asked whether Britain would continue to pay the United States while her Allies made no oiler. Air Baldwin, in replying, promised that the question of the debts would ho debated next week, and Air Churchill would state the Government's position. Air Lloyd George also expressed regret that the Government had rushed to a decision regarding Singapore. It would have been better to have arranged for consultation with the Dominions to see if some agreement on the subject- of conti illations hv the Dominions would lie reached. Air Baldwin promised that there • would lie an opportunity lor discussion nil Singapore Indore the House rose. Air Lloyd George asked whether there had been communications with I lie Dominions on this important subject . Atr Baldwin: AVe have begun already. The question inis 'been raised that wo have not yet tome to a decision regarding the length of time

over which the work is to he spread, nor any arrangement regarding the contribution to he given by Britain or the Dominions immediately concerned. Air Baldwin also stated that the Royal Commission oil food would sent an interim report upon meat and bread. Tile “ Dailv Telegraph ” states that the sum the House will he asked to vote as the first instalment for Singapore will not he large, possibly almost £70.(10!) sterling. - The “ Daily Telegraph’s. ” diplomatie correspondent, says there are three important aspects of the Singapore Base, which are not generally hot no in mind. The first is that the AVasliington agreement only runs for ten vears. and there is at present no guar-

various local bodies would place the matter liefore those bodies they would he willing to accent their share of the expenditure. Personally, he did not think that the expense would work out at more than £7>o per local body. A vote of thanks to the chair concluded the meeting.

antec of its extension, and if it is not extended, eonnnnnieations with the Dominions would lie entirely without defence by a modern battle-fleet, failing suitable harbour and docking accommodation. Secondly, a fleet based on Singapore could cover not only Austraia and New Zetland, but the Kastern approaches to India. The correspondent adds: Naval opinion in Holland and the Dutch Hast .Indies is closely following the scheme and welcomes the idea ol a big naval base at Singapore. An informal An-glo-Dutch naval entente in the bar East may be realised in the not distant future.