BRITISH POLITICS.

Hokitika Guardian, 16 July 1929, Page 5

BRITISH POLITICS.

IN THE COMMONS. ANSWERS TO QUESTIONS. (British Official Wireless.) (Received this day at 10 a.m.) RUGBY, July 15. | The Foreign Secretary (.Air A. Henderson) announced in the Commons to-day an invitation for a. responsible representative of the Soviet Government to visit London in order to discuss the most expeditious procedure lor reaching a settlement of outstanding questions has been sent to the Soviet Government through the Nor- | wegian Government. I Answering subsequent questions the : Prime Minister said the Government would lay appropriate' papers regarding the resumption of diplomatic, ielations with the Soviet Government as soon as possible and an appropriate time would presumably b e when the correspondence reached some issue. He added:—“Any conclusion His Majesty’s Government may come to, regarding recognition, cannot become effective until it has been debated in this House.” Mr Henderson informed the Commons that no decision had yet hem: reached, as to where the Reparations Conference, 'to (be held in August, would take place. Replying to questions, he said the German Government indicated its .intention of raising at the Conference the question of tho restoration to Germany of the Saar basin. That, however, was quite distinct from the two main problems with which the Conference would be called upon 'U deal, namely, reparations and tin evacuation of the Rhineland. Negotiations arc proceeding between the British and’ Chinese Governments for the conclusion of a full Commercial Treaty, on the basis of reciprocity and equality. Two experts have been appointed by either side and are at present engaged in Shanghai on tho examination of British am Chinese drafts, which are being use*, as a basis of the negotiations.

FURTHER DISCUSSIONS. ' .’LONDON, July' 15. In the House of Commons, Lord Ponsonby ‘ said unit he had received a telegram from Australia 1 ' regarding Imperial preference proposals, but a fank interchange ! of views' with the Prime Minister was impossible if the contents were' communicated' to tin Ho,use.' • ’ Air : W. Smith' said he had received some, communications respecting the' United States Tariff increase, hut had not made representations. Answering a series of questions, AU AlacDonald intimated that lie was willing to grant an inquiry into Afinisterial. salaries, if it was the general wish of the House. - Air Baldwin intimated the Conservatives would welcome-an inquiry. The House'agreed to'Air Greenwood’s (Alinister of Health) resolution, to prevent lower subsidies for the Housing Act, taking effect before the Government elaborated a comprehensive slum clearing, policy. > ■ Miss! Bondfield moved the second reading of the Unemployed Insurance Fund Bill, whereof the effect is to increase the Exchequer contribution to one third of the aggregate amount of contributions,, the cost to the Exchequer being 3£ millions.