BRITISH AND FOREIGN ITEMS.

Hokitika Guardian, 5 June 1926, Page 3

BRITISH AND FOREIGN ITEMS.

[Australia & N.Z. Cable Association.) IN' THE COMMONS. LONDON, June 3. hi the Commons, Mr Churchill, replying to a question on the estimated value of imported goods entailed in preference for three months to the end of March 31st said 'it was sixteen and a-alf millions. The actual preference was live and a-half millions.

Mi- Evans (Cardiff) asked Mr Churchill what legislation would be introduced t<> protect the nation against a. repetition of the general strike. Mr Churchill replied that the matter would he considered. At present he was not prepared to make a statement. I.LOYl) GEORGE. LONDON. June 3. The rumour that Lloyd George had turned over to the Labour Party was disposed of by a letter lie has written to the Assistant Liberal Whip, deelarinf the story foolish, and hardly worth contradicting. Ho was not a Socialist but a Liberal. Ramsay MacDonald in a speech at Pt. Talbot, ridiculed the idea of Lloyd George becoming n Labourite. He said the Communist Party were more likely to receive one so flighty, accustomed to freedom in handling the moral issue. LIBERAL RIFT. LONDON. June 3. The latest developments in the Liberal Party squabble are as follows: A meeting of the Executive of the Federation, on which there is a. preponderance of Asquithians, decided to call a Convention to discuss the question of adopting a motion of confidence in Lord Oxford. Later a meeting of Parliamentary Liberals, Lloyd George presiding, appointed delegates to convey the sense of the meeting to Lord Oxford. This cryptic decision, in conjunction with a count of heads showing that there were 22 Lloyd Georgeites, twelve hostile, and five doubtful, is interpreted to mean that Lloyd George won the day. LONDON. Juno 4. It appears that the idea of the Liberal Parliamentarians was t" let bvegones he byegones. It is regarded as significant that three of Lord Oxford’s most prominent supporters were selected to interview him. and explain the position. They will report to a meeting on Tuesday. The opinion is that it will he difficult for Lord Oxford to retreat; nevertheless an effort to postpone the split will be made. FINANCE IN FRANCE. PARIS. June 4. M. Peret told the Finance Gommittee of the Chamber that the Government had already used part of the Morgan Credit to bolster up the franc : but sufficient remained for efficacious action, if required. He added that it would be necessary to stabilise the franc rate slightly about the present rate in order to avoid a rise in wholesale prices]* ITALIAN FINANCE. ROME, June 4. In the Chamber, Count Volpi, in a statement on the Financial situation, announced a surplus of 055.000.000 lire, for April, compared with a deficit of 22(5.000,000 last year. The surplus was due to the Government’s policy, the basis of which was retrenchment, development of production and the settlement of foreign debts. The Chamber approved.