BRITISH PARLIAMENT.

Hokitika Guardian, 4 August 1928, Page 3

BRITISH PARLIAMENT.

IN THE COMMONS. Australian Press Assn.—United Service LONDON, August 2. In the House of Commons, Mr Alexander (Labour) asked whether Mr Winston Churchill’s or Sir W. Joynson Hicks’s recent reference to the subject of the safeguarding of industries represented the policy of the Government. Mr Baldwin replied: "Mr Churchill's speech appears to state less tersely, hut more eloquently, the policy which I laid down at the election in 1924. In Sir William Joynson Hicks’ speech I am unable to find any definition of policy but a number of pertinent questions, which, lie said, truthfully are worthy of consideration. What struck me in the speeches was not the diversity of testimony but ttie many sidedness of truth.” (l.oqd Laughter.) lU. Hon. J. 11. Clynes (Labour): “ Will the Prime Minister say which represents the policy of the Government.”

Mr Baldwin: “I have already answered plainly. Mr Churchill's speech exactly describes the Government’s policy, as laid down at the last General Election, in the Home Secretary’s Sir W. Joynson Hicks’s speech. I have faded to discover any trace of the policy at all.” Mr Baldwin, replying to Sir Hall, said that the Government, as lie bad stated in December, 1925, did not think that a Royal Commission to inquire into the foreign competition in the iron and steel trades would servo a useful purpose. Ho claimed that the Government were carrying out an undertaking completely to assist the industry by the rates relief scheme and n- consequent reduction in T.li 1u a freights.