BRITISH PARLIAMENT

Hokitika Guardian, 16 March 1927, Page 3

BRITISH PARLIAMENT

[Australian & N.Z. Cablo Association.] LONDON, March 14. Mr Ammon in the Commons said the House had requested to know what was in the Government’s mind, what was the danger it feared in eastern waters. There was much concern that Mr Churchill was allowed to publish criticisms of officers strategy and conduct which it was extremely difficult for them to defend. Admiral .Sir Hall said lie did not object so much to the criticisms of Jiving officers who could look after themselves as of dead officers. Criticisms tended to split the Navv into camps ,which would he an ill service to the Navy and nation. Mr Runcimuii suggested an interchange of naval and merdmtile officers in order that the navy have an efficient trade department if war broke out. The chamber of shipping was open for Admiralty suggestions' in this direction. He could not see how tho liavtil programme could he reduced in a year or two. A crisis would arise when the Washington agreement ended in 1922 unless it were renewed. The Admiralties of naval powers would settle down to new programmes which would <be difficult to resist. Naval reduction was only possible hv inter* nfational agreement. Mr Hilton Young said it was improvident to embark on bulk production, when naval architecture and strategy were in the melting pot. We must seek relief from tho financial burden for the future of the Empire depended on our financial strength. There was at present no chance of an international conflagration and the chance of naV.il holiday should bo seized, in order to husband our re-

sources. Mr Kenworthy said it would be a fatal mistake if Britain did not enter Mr Coolidge’s conference with a well defined plan as to what she intended to carry out ‘and a determination to make the conference a success. He suggested Britain should propose the three-great naval powers should agree to defend each others trade routes in the event of unprovoked aggression. Bellairs and Churchill had rendered great service by providing an opportunity for public discussion of the conduct of the naval part of the war Mr Beamish classed the naval air arm as an anomtdy and experiment which- was courting disaster and difficulty.

‘Mr Burney said it tv as essential to have international laws rotating to aerial warfare complementary to those affecting sea warfare. LONDON. March 14. Mr Headlnm replying to the debate said the Government’s whole record showed it was always willing ,1" muskier naval disarmament, and attend )any conference aiming at that end.

The programme outlined could not he described by, anyone as aggressive. ‘To us our trade routes are everything and they must proceed. That is all the Admiralty is seeking to do. Tho naval air arm is still in its infancy but it is essential to efficiency. The estimates as a whole represent a very small insurance that the people ire 'asked to pay for their food' supply and sea borne trade.” Tho House then went into committee on supply.

IN THE COMMONS. LONDON, March 13. In the Commons, Mr Worthington EVnns, in reply to questions said the latest information showed the Russian standing army number 630,000 and including territorials and militia, one million, wjiile reserves numbered an additional eight millions. The study of gas warfare was being actively pursued by the Soviet. Tn Russia. numerous factories had been built and were lreing built for gas production on a. large scale. Sir Knot: “Are Russian preparations for this kind <?f warfare greater than other countries?” *• Mr Worthington Evans: “There is not the slightest doubt there are much greater gas preparations in Russia than anywhere else in the world.” Mr Beckett: “In view of the unnatural effects of this warfare, could not an offer be made to Russia and other countries offering to abandon the gas weapon if they did likewise?” Mr Worthington Evans: “f refer you to the "Washington Convention, and the proposals at present before the League, of Nations. Unfortunately Russia is not a party to either.” Mr Ashley, in response to an inquiry concerning the question of making motor insurances against third party risks compulsory, said it bad been considered a Bill for the better regulation of road traffic which would be circulated shortly provided a measure of compulsory insurance in connection with public vehicles on the part of persons and companies not in a position to carry their own risks. It would be most difficult to extend this to all vehicles. The problem must be considered in the light of experience with public vehicles.

In Committee on the Royal and Parliamentary Titles’ Bill. Mr Marriott moved to substitute the words “United Kingdom” Tor “Realm” in the title of the great seal.

Sir Joynson Hicks pointed.out it was His Majesty's Seal, not the United Kingdom’s or Parliament’s. The title <.f- the Seal depended on the King’s title. The position was different from two centuries and even from 20 years ago. There were now no “Dominions thereto belonging” to it. Since the last Imperial Conference the Dominions were coequal with United Kingdom. They did not belong to that parliament, and were in no sense subjects of its jurisdiction. The amendment was withdrawn and the Bill passed the Committee and was read a third time.