BRITISH PARLIAMENT

Hokitika Guardian, 22 March 1927, Page 3

BRITISH PARLIAMENT

[Australian & N.Z. Cablo Association.] NAYAL ESTIMATES. LONDON. March 21. In the Commons on the report on the Navy Estimates, .Mr Lees Smith moved to reduce the vote by one hundred men. The Labour Party desired an opportunity of bringing to the Mouse a broad outline of the proposals which it considered should be submitted in the luunc of Britain to the coming conference. It had set down a motion stating while welcoming the proposals it was of the opinion that national, security could only he assured by an international agreement for a, substantial' all-round reduction of naval armaments, including the abolition of capital ships and submarines, the reduction of maximum cruisers for police purposes. Mr Smith said La Injur wanted the First Lord to make a speech on disarmament. which would send him to history as one of the greatest naval revolutionists. It would meet with a terrific reception in public opinion in America. If the maximum tonnage of cruisers were five thousand it would he adequate to protect commerce . and would render Singapore liase unnecessary. There waul'd be no threat from Japan. The ‘whole situation in Australian waters would be transformed. Such a programme might involve certain risks, but they would not lie as great as a continuance of naval rivalry. -Mr MacPherson said England had to he most careful in connection with armament, because she was in a diffident position from others. If tlieije were to he disarmament it must he universal and comparative. Sir Foster said it was not generali'y realised that allowing for the difference in money value, the present estimates for the navy were one-third less than the total of ISI-I. He hoped the Admiralty would not consent to a further reduction, which in their view would endanger the trade routes to the slightest degree. QUESTIONS AND REPLIES. LONDON, March 21. Mr Guinness, replying in the Commons, said he wit's aware of Voronoff's gland grafting for the purpose of producing vigorous livestock and had arranged for a small commission of scientists to examine and report on experimental work on sheep at the Government breeding station. Mr Beckett interjected: Cannot the Voronoff gland he grafted oil this Government. Mr Loeker-Lampson replying to a question said no negotiations at present were progressing in connection with the British concessions area under the control of the Chinese Nationalists. The Government, replying to another 1 question, said they had no intention of going hack oil the proposals regarding the concessions conveyed to Hankow in January, which were made after a careful examination of ai'L the 1 circumstances. Negotiations were at present proceeding in China at Tient- I sen ol which he was most hopeful. LONDON. March 21. ( Hon. Amery will speak in support of Hndeti Guest tat .Southwark bye-elec-tion. Mrs Pankhurst had a Hostile reception and was unable to cope with ribald choruses, giving up the attempt. Guest persevered despite shouts of “Judas.” !