BRITISH PARLIAMENT

Hokitika Guardian, 21 February 1927, Page 2

BRITISH PARLIAMENT

[Australian & X.Z. Cablo Association.]

IN TDK COMMONS. LONDON, February 18.

In the House of (‘ominous the whole dav (Friday) was spent in discussing private members’ bills. Introduced by Air R. Mitehell-Banks K.C. (Conservative) and seconded by Air Basil I’eto (Conservative) there was one bill designed to prevent any

person or association irom inviting, accepting. or using any funds from foreign sources for the furtherance or maintenance of industrial disputes. Air Mitchell Banks anticipated the Government would show aloofness to Ihe bill, lie said that it was all very well for the Home Secretary (Sir AY. Jovnson nicks) to say that he could not stun this money coining in. but ho did so during the general strike, and sent it back to AlViscow. Undoubtedly foreign money had prolonged the- disastrous coal strike.

A Labour member, Afr AY. T. Kelly ■ Rochdale) rose and moved the rejection of the bill. Saving that lie bad alwnvs been opposed to strikes, Air Kelly declared that he would welcome any bill which was really a blister on Communism, but this biil would not hurt C'oniniiini.sm even a little bit. Sir AY. Joynson-TTieks said that the Alinistry was of the opinion that this bill should be left to the decision of the House. Personally lie thought the bill would not achieve the object of its

promoters. The second reading was defeated by 183 to 75.