BRITISH POLITICS.

Hokitika Guardian, 1 March 1930, Page 5

BRITISH POLITICS.

BRITISH LOAN. [United Press Association.—By Electric Telegraph—Copyright]. LONDON, February 27. r ln the Commons, Mr Snowden said not part of the Conversion Loan cabled 'Feb. 23rd. would be privately underwritten. Cush responses were so < satisfactory that the list closed this afternoon, but part will remain open for a few days. COAL BILL DEBATE. LONDON, February 27. The Coal Bill division was preceded by scenes rarely seen in the Commons in moderate times. Every party had Whipped up supporters to the las .. man and there was the tensest feeling in all parts of the crowded House when Clement Davies moved the crucial amendment. Impatience was so great that he cut his speech very short. Worthington Ewans led the Conservative attack, describing the bill as a new departure in economics oi politics and the latest for Socialist seeking to attain Nationalisation through the • ruin, of the coal industry.

A. Bevan vigorously defended the Bill quoting German success w,th the quota 'system arid attacking ’ Lloyd George. He said the latter had used the measure throughout to attempt to put new life into the corpse of Liberalism, i . >

DRAMATIC SCENES. BEFORE AND AFTER DIVISION. • r . LONDON,- February 27. ■ln the House of Commons;• Mr Bnven B.aid that every Liberal who voted for lower wages for miners was voting for more accidents in collieries. Mr Lloyd George pointed out that the mineowners had rejected the bill as a whole, while 90 per cent . of the coal exporters had voted against it: The quota system meant a. limited output, which would inevitably increase the costs. Mr Griffiths' said that tile only bright spot was the Wales tin plate industry, which, was run on p system of quotas’ and which fixed prices. ■i The debate was carried on ip the midst, of excited cheers.' The impatient increased 'as the divis’iop , time approached. The visitors in the galleries had to be restrained from standing* in their places. \ When the motion was put, Mr Lloyd George arid ins' son immediately wept ‘to the division lobby against the Government. Several other Liberals, (however, remained in their places. As members filed back, Mr Lloyd George received a roar of derisive Ministerial cheers and 'shouts of “Good old

Tory!” ' Mr Ramsay MacDonald was welcomed by’ thunderous ail’d’ continuous applause from the Labour benches. He stood for a moment visably affected by emotion.

•There was a vast difference between the division, on .December, 19, and the pne to-night’ The Government in December did, not realise its danger till it,Was in, the Division Lobby. To-day the Government was most apprehensive- . • _ ...Every Conservative member present, except.,one, who abstained from voting,, voted against the Government. Most of the fifty-live .Liberals followed Mr Lloyd; George, and did the ■ same., ’

However, fom; of the Liberals and four Independents voted with the Government.

Eight Liberals, including Rt. Hon. XV. Runcimon, Sir Donald Mac Lean, Mr Godfrey Collins, and Mr E. D. Simmon did not vote. This saved the Government’s life.

The President of the Board of Trade, Mr Graham’s closing speech on behalf of the Government "was a brilliant feature' of ’the debate. It was full of close argument, anil “was ■delivered wothout a. note, as he has a •wonderful memory. The President of tne Board of Trade then went to his j-oom, and called a doctor. Mr Graham did not collapse, but the strain of his repent work at The Hague, at Geneva and in Parliament has mani- . festly: been ■ too great. He was ordered io, take a holiday out of London.

Sir W. Edge, who voted against the liberal. amendment, later tendered Mr Lloyd George his resignation 'as Liberal Whip.

BRITISH POLITICS. (Received this dav at 9.40 n.m.f LONDON, Feb, 23. Sir Jobo Fergusson. whose victorv aft Twickenham bye election-last year on August 8 as an .Empire Crusader •was: acclaimed as a Crusade triumph, has \ now resigned from the United Em; >sre Party. He is accused of “wobbling'’ by Lord' Rothermere, who has tifialJenged hun to resign "and contest , the seat against an Empire Party candidate. Sir John 1 Fergusson has replied that ho docs not see any necessity for roisigingi ae the position in the constituency has not changed since the bye-election a