BRITISH POLITICS.

Hokitika Guardian, 19 March 1930, Page 5

BRITISH POLITICS.

IN THE COMMONS,

fUnited Press Association.—By Electric

Telegraph.—Copy right.]

LONDON, AI arch 17

In the House of Commons, Major I/. Hord Belisha (Liberal) said lie regretted that The Hague spirit had not liecn inUTisod into the Disarmament Conference. He said that Mr Philip Snowden would have told France and the other countries who were holding up the conference that their action was only made possible because they had refrained from repaying their loans to Britain. If Air Ramsay MacDonald had the courage of Mr Snowden, lie would also tell the Dominion statesmen that we all were brothers and should share common obligations and ho would ask the Dominions if they were prepared to do away with the paradoxical disparity whereby the citizens of Britain paid 25s each for protection, whereas the South Africans only paid fourpence or fivepenee, and the Canadians only Is 6d. Rt. Hon. Ammn;n, replying to the debate, argued that the decision fixing the cruisers at fifty was reached after a full 1 investigation in order to cover the period of the agreement which they hoped would result 'from the conference, but the number of cruisers was subject to the outcome of the naval conference. In view of Mr Ammon’s statement Mr West Russell withdrew his amendment against the Government’s naval gesture.

GENERAL ELECTION COMING

(Received this dav at 9. a.n.A LONDON, March 18.

The “Daily Mai!” says the preparations for nil early general election are well advanced at the Labour Party offices, where orders have been given for thirty million envelopes. Plans are being made to fight against food taxes for which leaflets are being prepared. It is believed Mr MacDonald intends the election to take place early in the summer afte-r the budget debate. The period available for the election is limited by the Imperial and Indian Conferences in the autumn. The Liberals would prefer to await the report of the Speaker’s conference on electoral reform but a majority of members of the Commons are of the opinion that the clash will come earlier.

REPLIES TO QUESTIONS

(Received this day at noon.) LONDON, March 18

In the Commons, Mr .Shaw informed Air AA’atts that 264 soldiers were shot during the war time for desertion, and 18 for cowardice. Two officers were shot for desertion, one for murder and desertion, none for cowardice.

Mr Lees Smith, in answer to a question. stated the total overall cost, including land lines from London for telephone services to Canada, South Africa, India and Australia, by means of Post Office radio stations, Rugby and Bnldock, were estimated at £43,000. This included £4OOO existing costs. Rugby and Baldock were making a net amount for Dominion services of £39,000. Mr Snowden, in reply to a questioner, said the revenue from duties on foreign manufacturers imported into Great Britain was £12,422,009 for the year ended 28th. February, 1929, and £12.782,000 for the year ended 28t.h. February, 1939.

LIBERAL PARTY DECISION.

LONDON, March 18,

A meeting of the Liberal Party, Mr Lloyd George presiding, unanimously decided, owing to the situation of the Naval Conference, that it would not be in the national interest to create a crisis in the Commons. The Liberals will therefore abstain from divisions and vital amendments to the Coal Bill, in committee, reserving liberty of action on the report and third reading stages. This removes the danger of the defeat of the Government on Thursday on the Minimum Coal Prices Amendment Bill.