BRITISH POLITICS.

Hokitika Guardian, 11 December 1931, Page 5

BRITISH POLITICS.

LABOUR’S VOTE OF CENSURE

TRADE POSITION CONSIDERED,

(British Official Wireless.)

RUGBY, December 9. The Labour vote of censure regretting the failure of the Government to deal with the problems of currency and exchange, and the development of international trade and to produce plans for unemployment and high rerits, was moved in the Commons to-night, by Sir Stafford Cripps, who 'said the return to the National Government to power had not restored confidence. There continued uncertainty because apparently the Government had no care other than to tinker with the problem, which was international. He advocated barter through import and export boards, pending exploration of the currency situation, and he accused the Government of failing to provide for the distress in the coming winter, due to unemployment arid the economy cuts.

The Prime Minister, replying, said a declaration of the Government’s intentions with regard to currency stabilisation, while the present uncertain conditions prevailed, would he far from serving, the purpose of restoring cohfidenoe.

He drew .attention ho the international causes of the difficulties with which ‘Britain was faced. British trade was suffering, because of world poverty... The only enlightened policy was to seek to increase the volume of world trade and that the Government would continue to do. i They regretted delay in ■ bringing .v J the into conference, on these problems, .but they were sure .the experts now sitting at ..Basle were fully aware of the urgency of their task, and would prepare a report with expedition. Immediately thereafter the conference of Governments should he held, and the British' Government’s view was that the conference should approach its work in a spirit of realism. examining the whole facts and aiming at an agreement which would * not mereiy tide over the difficulties vy temporarily, hut would set the whole \ world on a gradually increasing firmer ■economic, social and political footing. This could be done only by consciousness on the „ part of all the nations that whatever their own circumstances their own continuing prosperity depended on the prosperity and tranquility of the whole world. Tt was in that spirit that the British Govcmwould enter the conference. Mr MacDonald claimed that the Government had been remarkably swift in action. They had made es-

sential contributions to the country’s

J problems by balancing the budget, also y they had , dealt with abnormal importations, which were imposing a heavy burden on sterling exchange, and they had pursued a policy maintaining the 'domestic value of the sterling. Referring to. rents, the Prime Minis-

—tr said they had some evidence of unfair raising of rents, and he forecasted legislation which would give protection in these cases. The Government, he said, had been given a mang&tt to Mek to xtvivo world trade,

and secure Britain’s just share in ft, using every resource at hand, and that mandate they were carrying out The debate continues. NOT ON EDGE OF PRECIPICE: DEFENCE BY MR RUNCIMAN. (Received this day at 9.2 n a.m) LONDON, Dec. 10. The Hon. Runciman says: “The country is not near the; edge of a precipice as some -members of theHouse of Commons, suggested. We are not going to starve. A great deal of our meat, wheat, and other essential foodstuffs, came from countries in which the sterling is the basis. This is a groat strength to us.” He adds: “No decision is possible regarding the iron and steel trades without the most careful consideration. Cabinet considered the wheat policy in preparation for Mr Thomas’ statement in the House of Commons.

The “Daily Telegraph’s” political correspondent understands that- Cabinet has definitely decided in favour of the prim inle of an imperial wheat quota. Details are subject to negotiations between importers and Empire representatives at Ottawa. Mr Thomas’s announcement therefore, is in the nature of a general declaration of policy.