BRITISH PARLIAMENT.

Hokitika Guardian, 14 February 1925, Page 3

BRITISH PARLIAMENT.

[Reuters Telegrams.] SECURITY PACT. LONDON, February 12. In the House of Commons, Colonel Wedgwood asked whether the Government was considering a new pact-and alliance for security with France and also whether Parliament would he consulted before the nation was in i.uy was committed to an alliance involving the risk of law. Air A. Chamberlain (Secretary lor Foreign Affairs) replied that the G.vernment had entered into no negotiations with any country for a separate pact. It was engaged in considering the question raised by the Geneva Protocol. The Government would not commit Iho country to the Protocol or any fresh obligation of a comparable character without the assent of Parliament.

LABOUR CRITICISM. LONDON, February 12. There was a debate in the House of Commons on a proposal for a vote of £2OOO towards the. Prince of Wales trip to Smith Africa. The debate was utilised for a. Labour attack on the l’tince. Mr Kirkv./ood /(Glasgow) protested against “this humbug." Mr Kirkwood said that the Prince of Wales shuul first see his own country, and particularly Glasgow. Individuals connected with the Labour Party had stated that the Royal Family had endeared themcalves to the working classes. “I don’t beliovc it,” said Mr Kirkwood. “I don’t envy the Prince. I have, got health and independence, and I am only responsible to my Creator!” Cries of “Order” and “Shame.” Air Kirkwood then turned on the interruptoi's saving: “I say the same to you I I tell you that your days nro numbered!”

Mr Kirkwood went on to say that the Prince of Wales could easily pay for this mission himself, and his speech ended amid loud and frequent cries of “Order” from the Ministerialists. Mr Scrymgeour (Dundee) said there was nothing practical about the Prince's tour. Air Saklatvala (Patterson, London') said that, as a Communist, lie objected to this misuse of public funds, but, lie added: “If we must have a British Empire, wo must have- a, Royal Knob, and pay for it.” bond cries of order. Messrs Buchanan and Bromley and AVestwood similarly opposed the vote. The vote was carried by HOT votes to 90. LONDON PRESS COAIMENT. LONDON February 12 Newspapers, some, angrily, comment on the Labour attack on the Prince of Wales. The “Daily Express” describes it as “a- Innlesquc attack which gained significance because Air Wheatley, the cx-Alinister and possible Labour Prime Minister, egged on Mr Kirkwood, though lie did not make the speech. Mr MacDonald (Labour Lender) kept out of the Chamber. Air J. It. Ul.vnes also left early in the. debate.

Messrs .MacDonald, Thomas, dynes and Sidney Weld) supported the Government, Mr Arthur Henderson abstained tram

voting. LONDON, Feb. 12. During the debate on the vote foi the Prince of Wales’ African tour. Mr Kirkwood, retorting to cries of “.shame” elicited by his attack on the Prince, cried: “Shame on you who arc responsible for the awful conditions under which the class from which I sprang have to live, move and have their being. They.sent me here to tell you your days arc numbered. I want to draw public attention to the treatment that a member of the working class gets when lie stands up here to tell you ruling classes the actual .celings of workers I” Mr Guinness, defending the vote, declared that the Prince of Wales ungrudgingly carried out the duties ho was called upon to perform. His visit to the Dominions did not prevent him carrying out the work which Mr Kirkwood was so anxious he should perform.

Ml- Kirkwood’s amendment was negatived by 304 votes to 90. Many Soeialists absented themselves from the debate. Mr Kirkwood declared: ‘I don t envy the Prince. Rather I pity the poor limn, being trotted about the world like a clown. I want to protest against the way the big financiers are using the Prince for their own ends, and not to strengthen the brotherhood of man.” Mr G. Buchanan, the Labour member for the. Gorlmls division of Glas.r„w in (seconding the amendment for a reduction of the vote of G2COI) said: “Why pamper this young man. 1 cannot see any use for Royalty at all! They have played absolutely no part in society, and they are grossly overRev. C. Stephens the Labour member, for the Cainhit'hie Division of Glasgow, said that the commercial circles were interested in the Prime’s tour of the Argentine. Therefore they ought to pay the expenses. Mr C. Hilton (Conservative mem tier in Bolton) in his maiden speech, had suggested that a trade delegation should accompany the Prince. LONDON, February 13. In the debate, Mr Kirkwood, incidentally said: “X was invited by Lord and. Lady Blythewuod to dine with the Prince of Wales in Glasgow, but I refused to dine with this commonly called “young” man, who is over thirty years of age. I, Mr Wheatley, and some of my colleagues, however, asked the Prince to dine with us at a restaurant, and allow us to show '-"u the slums of Glasgow. I promised io guarantee the Prince absolute security, on mv personal life. (Laughter). Lord Blythewood replied that our invitation coil Id not he accepted.” Mr Kirkwood went on to say that ff a battleship were to be included in the Prime’s tour, it would cost little short of one million pounds sterling. “Wliv spend that on the Prince.-'’ he asked. ‘‘He gets £33,730 a. year from