HOUSE OF COMMONS.

Hokitika Guardian, 17 May 1927, Page 3

HOUSE OF COMMONS.

[Australian & N.Z. Cable Association.] THE GUILLOTINE USED. (Received this day at 10.25 a.m.l LONDON, M,ay 16. In the Commons, Sir Locker Lampson, replying to a question, said it was not proposed to call a conference of Locarno signatories with the object of seeing how they could best stop competition in disarmaments among themselves. The League was preparing the ground for the general disarmament conference. Mr Conlidgo’s n ival disarmament conference opens in Jim?. These efforts would not bo furthered tjy fresh proposals, with a similar object. Mr Baldwin in moving the guillotine resolution on the Trade Lnioii Bill said if the present rate of progress was maintained and the House sat continuously and no other business was transacted, they might hope to pass clause one by the beginning of August. Tile Government’s action was in a:cord with precedent. Mr Clynes, who was greeted with a storm of Labour cheers, said Air Baldwin’s speech was one of unexampled audacity, which could not lie beaten. The Government was going even further than he thought likely in the destruction of constitutional practice. “ Whatever the class we draw from, we nre at least His Majesty’s Opposition and claim for that Opposition parliamentary traditional rights, which, until recently, have heen observed.” Mr Clynes added, heatedly: “It is a grave abuse of the power of the Government’s numbers. It will reduce parliamentary business to a mockery. We shall not be party to, and shall not sit here to participate in the parliamentary farce.” He resumed his seat and instantly rose. The entire Labour front bench then rose and nmid a hubbub walked out. When the Labourites were out of the chamber, Mr Lloyd George said lie deeply regretted the scene. He had witnessed many scenes in the Commons but they seldom did any good. He liopdcl sooner or later that they would find a- less barbarous way of dealing with a situation than the guillotine. After this the motion was carried I ;-v 259 to 14, and the House rose.