PRITISH PARLIAMENT

Hokitika Guardian, 24 July 1928, Page 3

PRITISH PARLIAMENT

IN THE COMMONS. Australian Press Assn.—United Service (Received this dov at 10.15 a.m.) LONDON, July 23. In the Commons, Commander Kenworthy inquired whether Sir Joynson Hicks’s speech on reduction of naval armaments (called on 14tli July) represeated the Government’s policy. n Mr Baldwin: “ I did not detect any • statement of policy but merely an expression of hope that the signature of the peace pact would lead to further reduction of armaments.” Commander Kenwortliy: “Are you aware that Sir Joynson Hicks promises as to the increase of the United States . navy was quite inaccurate? How was it Sir Joynson was not informed of such an important matter? ” Mr Baldwin: “I- think my answer fair. The passage to which you refer seems to he in the form of a rhetorical question.” ’ Further questioned, Mr Baldwin replied: “I can only say had I been speaking on tliat matter I might have expressed it somewhat differently, but '• I hope when Commander Kenworthy comes to sit here that he will exercise the wisdom and reticence of most of my colleagues in most of their sepeches.” Mr Wedgwood: “The speech caused n- groat deal of trouble in Ameiica. Is it not time your colleagues, were better informed on matters of this sort?” ' Mr Baldwin: “No. 1 cannot agree to that. I think a great deal of trouble comes from the assiduity of both sides, wherewith isolated sentences are taken % from their context and are immediately X cnbled across.” \ U Mr Gilmour replying to Mr Stephen, /•.' said ho could not make a statement regarding compensation to Slater. Ho ■' thought it better thnt lie first Have a reasonable chance of making a claim. Hole Belislia: “Would it not. more generous for the Government to make a grant without waiting.” Air-Gilmour did not reply.

(British Official Wireless.) ' . • . ~RUGBY, July 23. Tn reply to questions in Parliament to-day the Foreign Secretary said lie \ , had no statement to make on the recent development in Egypt. The (' : attitude of the British Government remained unchanged. They regarded the Egyptian Parliament and constitution primarily as matters for the King of Egypt and the Egyptian people, to determine. Questioned regarding the trade mission to Australia Hon Amen.- said His Majesty’s Government would be glad to give sympathetic consideration to no invitation by any other Dominion

Government for the despatch of a similar mission. On the report stage of the Finance Bill Hon. Churchill (Chancellor of the Exchequer) moved a new clause to the eff ect of which was to reduce the betting tax from October Ist next for credit betting from 31 per cent to - per ccmt and for course betting from to i to.- to"*. i f » i>r ”: ~,1,0.00 Of until »,: n*ot« to he. devised that scheme would supersede either in the whole or m part the reduced percentages. The rate of duty upon the totalisator had not been settled at the present moment. As soon as the new body was constitute the Government would begin an examination with them irod soe what was a fair .piyportnon,. wlucli tl.q> might properly take. The now clause w;is road a second time by 199 to 11 and was added to the Bill.