BRITISH PARLIAMENT

Hokitika Guardian, 8 December 1928, Page 5

BRITISH PARLIAMENT

COAIAIOXK DEBATE

(United Press Association --By Electric Telegraph—Copyright).

LONDON. Dec. f,

In the Commons. Air .Baldwin inlormed Mr Malone that the Imperial Defence Committee bad examined the Imperial Wireless Conference's report. which accorded with its views in respect, of defence. Mr Wormer informed Air Walter that (lie Baker contract contained a clause ensuring that none of the existing cables and wireless systems v. mild b(> allowed to depreciate, as they arc of national interest in the event of emergency. In the Committee stage of the Imperial Telegraphs Bill, Air Baker moved an amendment disallowing the Government's approving of the sale price of the Pue-ilie ca.ble, with the object of vesting apnroval in the Commons. Il(> pointed out three per emit, interest on the outstanding debt was cheaper than the Communications Company could borrow in open market. It was virtually a large gift to them. Cable's which cost L‘7,134.009 are being banded over for £2,0(X>,000. Labour cries: '‘Shame.”

Even at the present market price, which was the result of the most terrible manipulation, the value of the Maivoni undertaking was not ci|iial to the seventeen millions the Government proposed to let it have. Ihe Government should insist on tin’ Alarconi value being the value ui the shares prior to the boom, which was 1 lie result of informa.l ion obtained from tin 1 Imperial C'onlcrcnce lion. Samuel said opportunists overlooked the fact that Britain was not tin l predominant partner in State owned cables. ’I he Dominions held t bill ocu-eigliloenl.lis ol the Pacific cable. Britain could not brush aside the wishes ol partners bolding the cont rolling interests.

Air Amcry replying to Mr Ammon, admitted that the Tmuerial Co liferent os of 1911 and 1921 committed themselves to lb" principle of State owned wireless stations throughout tlie Empire. At a later conference, the Prime Alinister of Australia insisted they must have full power in decide the method in which the Commonwealth co-operate. Within a tow mouths, Australia showed she did not desire (lie State owned system, because she gave licenses to the Australian Amalgamated AA iroloss Company. Later other Dominions committed themselves to private wireless companies. Air AVellduck said if. was nothing lint daylight robbery. r lbc companies gave in to save their skins, and not. only did so, but skinned the Government and the people. ITon Amcry said Canada, one of the partners of the Pacific, cable, first suggested that in view of wireless con-petition with the Pacific caLL’. the Imperial Conference should be called to consider the whole <|Uesiiuu. The Bill embodied its unanimous re-

iort. 'The amendment was negatived bv II to 128.