BRITISH POLITICS.

Hokitika Guardian, 11 March 1930, Page 5

BRITISH POLITICS.

QUESTIONS IN CDAIAIONS,

(British Official AVireless)

(Received this day at LI a.m., RUGBY, Aiarch 10.

A scries of questions were put to Mr Henderson (toroign Secretary) in the House of Commons regarding the announcement. made by the President of mo Tnird Jnteniuiiona] in Moscow that instructions had been issued to its agents to organise strikes and riots in t.icat Britain and British Dominions and Colonics. die member asked whether the Foreign Sdretary's attention had been calle to the fact that last Thursday's unemployment demonstrations in this country we.e organised by the Communist Party, or representatives from Moscow.

Air Henderson, replying to questions, said lie had no donut that the Communist International were at pains to produce manifestations of last Thursday in this country, but in view of •me exceedingly feeble response to its efforts he trusted no undue alarm would be felt in any quarter of the House. As be had previously explained, the Government would not hesitate to take the House into its confidence snould serious cause for complaints arise, but be would again repeat that tiiey intended in the first instance to be the judges as to the gravity or otherwise of the particular incidents, and of the action which might be expedient and necessary to safeguard the interests of this country.

Air Henderson was asked whether he had now satisfied himself that there was religious persecutions in Russia, and whether any action was being taken by the Government in the mat-

He replied that from a study of the 'Soviet Government’s attitude respecting religious associations, he had no doubt it indicated a continuance of anti-religious pressure which had consistently, and for many years past been a notorious feature of the Soviet policy. He could not, however, believe any action which it was open to Government to take, would be calculated to further the cause of religious liberty.

The Secretary for India, replying to a. question said no representations had been made to him for an increase oi the British Army in India, and he was satisfied its present strength was sufficient for all emergencies.