BRITISH POLITICS.

Hokitika Guardian, 15 March 1930, Page 5

BRITISH POLITICS.

IN THE COMMONS

(United Press Association.—By Electric Telegraph.—Copyright.)

RUGBY. AI arcli 13

Jit the Commons Air Stanley Baldwin moved a vote of censure deploring the- depression in trade and the increase in unemployment resulting from the Government’s policy, and regretting the refusal of the Government not only to extend safeguarding ot Imperial Prefereme but oven to declare its intentions regarding maintenance of existing saleguai'ding and McKenna duties on sugar, milk and key industries, thereby increasing uncertainty and distress. Air P. (Snowden denounced what lie described as an deliberate conspiracy to discredit the Government. Mr Samuel said the Liberal Party unhesitatingly supported the Government in resisting the motion.

MR BALDWIN

(Official Wireless.)

RUGBY, March 13

Air Baldwin, in moving the vote of censure, said that he regarded tiie situation as one of extreme gravity. He said: “I hope the Chancellor of the Exchequer will, make i't quite! dear whether or not ho intends, at any time, in combating the evils of unemployment, to have recourse either to any single duty or general duty as a remedy for unemployment.” The whole tendency of the world was towards high tariffs. High tariffs, he thought, were bad, but we should not cure them by pulling down our own barriers. He believed that was the whole tendency of tire- economic life of Europe, and we were left outside it. Referring briefly to the Dominions question, Mr Baldwin said that it was liis view, and a view that was. shared by thoughtful men of all parties in all of the Dominions, that unless something could he constructed in the way of economic co-operation, with a. view to the economic unity of the Empire, there was a real wish that, in time, the threads that bound the Empire, which were already gossamer, might break, and with the breaking of those threads would go the hope of the world for peace and progress. He had been unable to see any way in which economic unity could be approached, except by utilising duties.

MR CHURCHILL

LONDON, March 14

Speaking to the censure motion, Air Churchill said that this censure was specially focussed upon Air Snowden. 'iJre latter had said that lie was the victim of an organised conspiracy and that there was a deliberate policy on the part of certain interests to create unemployment, in order to discredit the Government ; but did anyone be- , lieve it? There was nothing moire common than this persecution delusion, but these were early days for the Chancellor to show signs of that mania.” If he is in this condition three weeks before the budget,” said Air Cuiurcliill, ‘what will he be reduced to k.v the end of July? He ougTit to be fair to the protected trades, instead oi talking mockingly about jews’ harps and popguns.” Captain Wedgewood Benn summed up the debate for the Government, and the division taken amidst noisy demonstrations by both parties. Hon T. M. Wilford, Air Stanley Bruce and All' Tewater were among the interested listeners to the debate.