BRITISH POLITICS.

Hokitika Guardian, 12 July 1929, Page 5

BRITISH POLITICS.

NAVAL EXPENDITURE. CUT IN SUBMARINE OUTLAY. (United Press Association.—ByElectrir Telegraph.—Copyright.) LONDON, July 11. Tho “Daily Express” states that the Cabinet has decided to cut six submarines out of the naval building programme. INTER-IMPERIAL TRADE. RUGBY, July 10.

Mr Ponsonby, Under Secretary for Dominion Affairs, replying to a question in the House of Commons, said that the Government have under a> tivo consideration the question of the development of inter-imperial trade, and they naturally welcome the indications in the statements by members of His Majesty’s Government in Canada and elsewhere that this question is also under examination in other parts of the Empire. How such trade development can be brought about is clearly a matter which each Government must, to a large extent, examine for itself. If, however, there were any general desire for an Imperial Economic Conference to take place before the next Imperial Conference, which according to the present understanding is due to meet in Canada next year, the Government would gladly participate.

ELECTORAL REFORM. LONDON, July 10. The Prime Minister, Mr Ramsay, MacDonald informed the House of Commons this afternoon that Lord Ulsswater, cx-Speaker, had agreed to preside over the Committee referred to. in the King’s Speech to examine the question of electoral reform, in the light of tho experiences of the General Election. The exact terms of reference were still the subject of consultation between the Party leaders.

THE ADDRESS CARRIED. • LIBERAL AMENDMENT DEFEATED. LONDON, July 10. In the House of Commons, the Liberal Party submitted an amendment to the Address to the Throne, condemning the Government’s failure to suspend the Scottish Local Government Act of 1929. The amendment was defeated by 37J votes to 51. The Address was then agreed to.

IN THE COMMONS. ANSWERS TO QUESTIONS. (Received this dav at 11 a.m.) RUGBY, July 11. The Government have under consideration conditions under which diplomatic relations with Russia might be resumed, and it is understood that within the next few days communication upon the subject will be addressed to the Soviet Government.

The Prime Minister in the Commons to-day was asked whether the House would have the opportunity of discussing the question of the resumption of diplomatic relations % '"’ith Russia before decisive action was taken,, and whether communications to and from Dominions on the subject would be published. Mr MacDonald said a suitable opportunity for such' a debate would doubtless arise, but lie could give no undertaking to postpone all action until the debate took place. The question of publishing correspondence as requested would be considered, but the matter has not yet reached the stage whereat it would he desirable to lay down the papers. The other Governments would have to be consulted before such a publication. In reply to supplementary questions the Prime Minister undertook that all procedure and practice 1 would be followed in bringing the matter before the House of Commons. In the Commons, the Home Secretary, Mr Olynes, said the Government had carefully considered circumstances of the case and had decided against granting permission to Trotsky to visit this country. The Parliamentary Under-Secretary for Foreign Affairs, Mr Dalton, said negotiations regarding the meeting of the projected Reparations Conference were in progress between the Governments of Great Britain, France, Germany, Belgium, Italy and Japan with regard to the date. He hoped the conversations would begin early next month. Questioned regarding tlie signing of the Optional Clause Mr Dalton said the Government were in consultation with the Dominion Governments and Government of India on the subject.