BRITISH POLITICS.

Hokitika Guardian, 2 May 1929, Page 5

BRITISH POLITICS.

IN THE COMMONS. NAVAL CONSTRUCTION.. (British Official Wireless.) (Received this day at 12.25. p.m.) RUGBY, May 1. In the Commons, -Mr Kemvorthy asked the First Lord of the Admiralty whether in view of the proposals of the naval limitations reductions at. Geneva by the American delegate, it was proposed 'to retain the present '-rogrnmme of warship construction in this country. Mr Hridgemnn replied that the work of shipbuilding would proceed. It, was not, however, proposed to lay down ships of the 1929 programme until towards the end of the financial year Mr Kenworthy asked • whether he would not delay further expenditure on these ships until we* knew where we stood as regarded the future.' Mr Bridgeman replied: “I think it would be premature to take any steps yet. lam opposed to taking action prematurely as it would disturb work at the dockyards.” t Mr Bridgeman said that premature action on Britain’s part would not unorove the chances of an agreement. Mr Kenworthv: Does the Government propose to recommence conversations with America and Japan. Mr Locker Lampson; We have studied Mr Gibson’s suggestions at Geneva. When we receive the proposals we shall discuss them in a manner offering the best prospects of success. HEALTH ESTIMATES. LONDON, May 1. Mr Neville Chamberlain presenting the health estimates said there were now three hundred thousand mental deficients in the country, about double the Royal Commission’s estimate in 1908. This was a cause for anxiety and apprehension. Out of that number only one tenth were definitely deficient, therefore sterilisation wlould not be a satisfactory solution. An ideal method of treatment was in settlements iof (one thousand, wlicic deficients could be trained till fit to ! >e released thereform, -but this would be very costly. • Last year’s infantile and tuberculosis death rates were the lowest recorded. LONDON,. May 1. Mr Nevlle Chamberlain stated that growing figures of mild smallpox in tho past few years showed that as long as a large part of the population was not vaccinated there was a risk of a panic of a viriilent type breaking out. Cancer cases wtore (increasing; but. radium treatment was proving singularly successful now, and had quite superseded older methods n surgery. The n.eed of radium was very pressing and urgent.