BRITISH PARLIAMENT.

Hokitika Guardian, 11 July 1929, Page 6

BRITISH PARLIAMENT.

THE COALAIONS DEBATE. THE FIRST DIVISION. (United Press Association. —By Electric Telegraph.—Copyright.) LONDON. July 10.

In the House of Commons, lit. Hon. L. G. Amery (Conservative), former Colonial Secretary, resumed' the debate on the Conservative amendment to the Address to the Throne in favour of duties for the safeguarding of industries. Air Amery ■ expressed the opiniqn that Rt. Hon. Air Snowden (Chancellor of the Exchequer), did not appreciate what Empire trade meant. The Dominions’ preference to Britain amounted to fourteen millions. Britain’s best purchasers were within the Empire. Ninety-one per cent of her exports which went to countries within the Empire were manufactured from the viewpoint of creating employment. “ AVe could better afford to cut ourselves off from the whole of the outside world than from the Empire,” he said. The conditions to-day were infinitely more favourable for a closer Empire union than ever before. AVe might not be able to get complete free trade within the Empire, but let us take steps to bring us nearer thereto when ,the disposition to meet up half way is stronger, than ever. He appealed to the Government .to- approach the Imperial Conference with a free hand.

■ ■ LONDON,. July •=. In the : ,- course of Irish-speech, .the Chancellor of . the Exchequer, Rt. Hon. Mr Snowden, said that there "was no justification for the Opposition’s charge of any uncertainty regarding the AlcTvenna duties. Those duties were introduced for a special national emergency, and the Conservative Chancellors had repeatedly emphasised that they were of a provisional character. The Conservatives did not give any notice elf their intention to reimpose those duties after their repeal in 1924. but everyone knew that if Labour wore returned, these duties would be repealed. .

Mr Snowden said that in every constituency where the safeguarding duties operated, the Protectionist candidate was either beaten, or there Was a heavy vote against safeguarding. Tf there was any uncertainty in certain industries, this was blamable on those who had imposed the taxes, as it was a measure inseparable from tariff policy.

The Government, he said, was most anxious to promote the closest of trade relations with the Dominions and with every part of the Empire, but they did not- I believe that these relations could be placed on the best footing of mutual advantage by any system of preferential tariffs, and least of all by suchproposals as had been put forward with recklessness by Lord Beaverbrook, whilst Joseph Chamberlain had stated that,There could not be imperial preference without a tax on food and raw .piatorial. To that policy the Government would never subscribe. He hoped that,.when lie.left office, he would have swept away .all of the food duties, including those on sugar and dried fruits. The, preferences on these duties would naturally go too. • He meant to inquire into, the difficulties of sugar producing in the colonies, but he would not assist them by tariffs. “ \Ve have no intention of abolishing tlie Empire Alarketing Board,” said Air Snowden. “We want to promote the closest, of commercial relations with every part of the Empire. AA'e have held out the open hand. AA’e are at present communicating with the Dominions to see if it will bo possible to hold an Imperial Economic Conference, and to see what we can do to extend inter-imperial trade. The development of trade with Australia, New Zealand and Canada must lie slow. With India it is-different, 'ihere there is an increase in the people’s purchasing—' d ‘o to an enormous addi-

timi to trail ■ ” Captain Wed; wood Benn (Labour) ah ' spoke o the amendment, after which it went to the vote. The division was as follows: For amendment ... ... 220 Against, .

Majority against ... 12,0 The Liberals voted solidly with the Government. Forty of the Conservatives did not vote. OTTAWA, July 9. In view of Air Philip Snowden’s statement that communications were being sent to tbe various Dominions, the Canadian Government states that it has not received any communication asking whether it would be possible to hold an Imperial Economic Conference.

STIR IN LOBBIES. CONSERVATLVES VOTES. LONDON, July 10. The size of the 'Government’s majority after their first Commons division, a number of Conservatives not voting, caused a stir in the lobbies. It is learned that a group of younger Conservatives deliberately avoided the division as an expression of displeasure at the way the leaders had handled the debate and divided the voices wherewith they spoke. It was urged that the Conservative leaders should get together and settle a policy beforo the next election and meantime not expose their differences in public debate.