IMPERIAL POLITICS

Rotorua Morning Post, Volume 2, Issue 466, 25 February 1933, Page 5

IMPERIAL POLITICS

SALE OF VESSELS QUESTIONED IN HOUSE OF COMMONS OTTAWA AGREEMENT O London, February 23. In the House of Commons to-day, Dr. E. L. Burgin (Parliamentary Secretary to the Board of Trade) in answer to a question, said there was nothing unusual in the sale of the White Star liners Magantic and Baltic to Japan for breaking up. No action was called for. The Minister of Health, Sir E. Hilton Young. in reply to an inquirer, said the question of making influenza notifiable had been often considered, but advised that this would conduce to a reduction neither in mortality nor in dislocation of industry. Acute influenza and pneumonia were already notifiable. Mr. A. Ramsay (Con., West Bromwich) inquired if the Government proposed to establish machinery for the purpose of supervising the working of the Ottawa agreements in the interests of British industry and commerce. The Prime Minister stated that the working agreement was under the continual review of the Board of Trade and the Dominions Office. There was no need for special machinery. Mr. Ramsay: "In view of the importance of developing Empire trade on lines satisfactory to Britain, ought not a special authority be appointed therefore?" Mr. McDonald : For that wider problem a special committee is now sitting.