BRITISH POLITICS.

Hokitika Guardian, 1 May 1929, Page 5

BRITISH POLITICS.

IN THE COMMONS

(British Official Wireless.)

(Received tin's day at 12.25. p.m.) RUBGY, April 39.

In the course of a debate on the Colonial Office Estimates, in the House of Gammons, Mr Ainerv (Colonial Socrotar.v) in an allusion to the Dead Sea area, said that the region contained vast quantities of minerals. Whether these minerals could be extraclod under conditions which would yield a commercial profit was uncertain, but ho was glad to say that the long negotiations between the Palestinian and Trans-.lordanian Governments and Concessionaires had now praotic-’tlv fcune to a. conclusion, satisfactory from the viewpoint of the two •Governments. Mr Amcry mentioned the total trade of the Odonial Empire had by 192' come very close to live hundred millions, and he had no doubt the figures of the present r w-mbl well excis’d it. Whilst the situation from the viewpoint of rubber growers was still difficult and anxious, gloomy predictions were made 'when 'the Government, 'decided the scheme of restriction had not been fulfilled. There was no sudden swamping of the market last November with the vast stores of rubber which were held back. On the contrary the price rose from that da;to, and whilst it was still under a shilling, that price represented more than the same price would have represented under rstrictions, because it represented rubber produced under more favourable conditions from the viewpoint of overhead charges, . aind he believed produced ill almost every case with increasing efficiency alii round'. Referring to the Colonial Development Fund, the creation of which had been foreshadowed by the Prime Minister, Mr Amerv said such a fund would contribute not only to the welfare of the inhabitants of the Colonies concerned, but also directly in orders for equipment of railways and other public works, and indirectly in general expansion of trade. Tt would contribute .to creating much needed employment in this country. Mr Arnery announced lie had appointed a. committee with tile following terms of reference to consider the existing system of appointments in the Colonial. •OHioe, to -public services of Dependencies not possessing responsible Governments and (to make such .recommendations ias imliglit be considered desirable. He said these were wide terms of reference so as to give the committee a very free hand. Sir Warren Fisher would preside and other members would include Sir Samuel; Wilson, Sir H. Bell, Mr John Butfian. LM.P,, 'Sir W. Riddell, Sir Jiolur (Palmer, Sir Robert Hamilton, M.P., Mr Meik'lcjohn, Doctor Cyril Norwood. Headmaster of Harrow, Sii Russell Scott, Doctor Shiels, M. 1., and Mr Tonikinson.

QUESTIONS IN COMMONS. LONDON, April 30

In the Commons, Sir P. Cunliffe Lister, in answer to questions said; Since the introduction of , the Saleguarding Duties twenty-two silk and artificial silk, eleven motor-car', and five motor tyre factories had been built in Great Britain, apart from extensions to existing factories. Winston Churchill, replying to questions said : Germany’s reparations payments to the allies to 31st March totalled £182,000 apart from payment in kind.

RUGBY, May 1

Mr L. C. Amery said: Britain’s exports to her colonial dependencies in 1905 were eighteen millions, and in 1927 fifty-five millions; imports from the colonies in the same years were let millions and GO millions respectively.