BRITISH PARLIAMENT

Hokitika Guardian, 28 November 1928, Page 5

BRITISH PARLIAMENT

IN THE COMAIUN-S

(United Press Association —Rv Electric 'Telegraph—Copy right).

LONDON, Nov. 27

The Hon Neville Chamberlain managed to hold the interest of the House throughout a lot) minutes’ speech, in moving the second reading of the complicated 100 page Local Government bid, generally known as tile Derating Bill, Jiich is generally believed to have an important effect on the destiny of the' Ministry.

Air 'Chamberlain insisted that the I till was a major reform of tbe local government system, which bad been unaltered for forty years. “It does not constitute a donation to a needy relative', and is not a bribe to ratepayers Init. a long-delayed act of justice, which will remove at a stroke the burden of twenty-four millions from the back of indusry Three-quarters of this relief is in fbe neediest areas. I am certain that, tbe underlying principles will ultimately reach tbe Statute Rook as a courageous and comprehensive attempt to remove anomalies in the local government system.” Air Arthur Greenwood submitted Labour’s rejection motion, objecting chiefly to a perpetuation of the evils of the Poor Law system, and the failing to' make unemployment a national responsibility He described the Bill as the bust kick which would send the Government to oblivion.

Sir H. SI esse r (Labour) stated that the total rates of the country were L" 17.3.0110,000. It was useless to pretend the relief of £2 LOOIbdOO. less the cost of the petrol tax. was going Lo save tbe base industries. The debate was adjourned.

REPLIES TO QUESTIONS

(Received this day at 12.2 d. p.m.) LONDON, Nov. 27.

In the Commons, Sir Cmdiife Lister replying to Air Sandon reiterated the reasons why the Government sold the transport, River Clyde. The Hoard of Trade had no powers to repurchase the steamer to moor it permanently at 'Thames embankment as a war relic.

Replying to Air Hamiltons inquiry what was the position of wireless telephony, and whether it. was likely to lie adopted to connect the outlying islands, Air Alitcbell 'Thompson said experiments with the apparatus were being conducted, ibul at present there was no system capable <d working at a cost to justify communication with the islands.