BRITISH PARLIAMENT.

Hokitika Guardian, 18 March 1927, Page 3

BRITISH PARLIAMENT.

(Australian & N.Z. Cablo Association.] AN AIR DEBATE. (Received this day at 11.0 a.m.) LONDON, March 17. In tho Commons, lion. W. Churchill replying to questions said £9,350,000 corporations profits tax and one hundred millions sterling excess profits duty was outstanding unpaid. He was afraid they had lost the whole excess profits and the arrears must be regarded as irrecoverable.

.Mr Ronsonby during the report stage of the Air estimates moved to reduce the air force by thirty-two thousand men. Pointing out that he was not acting on behalf of the Labour Party, he said he desired to attract serious consideration to disarmament, hy an international agreement through the power of example. The governments of the world seemed to have learned l nothing from the great war. Could imbecility go further: We spent four years in heating Germany to her knees, and then eight years setting her on her feet. Disarmament would take time, hilt the first nation with courage to disarm would quickly be followed by] others.

Mr .Shepherd, in seconding tho motion, said it was no answer to say war was necessary, till we had tried the methods Christ had propounded.

Mr Sexton said he differed materials y from a section of the .Labourites, f Britain disarmed it would not be a ••aso of Russia for the .Russians hut tugland f r anyone taring to come and ake it.

Sir S, Jloare said lie desired restrieiou and limitation of armaments as inccrely as the Opposition, but until he present feelings of suspicion and istrust disappeared from Europe, tin rout advance towards disarmament its possible. The amendment sought * leave Britain defenceless, ft was <>t a practical step to cause a limitnion of the most dangerous of all arms. The amendment was negatived by 1)7 to 24.