LABOUR’S VICTORY

Sun (Auckland), Volume III, Issue 910, 1 March 1930, Page 9

LABOUR’S VICTORY

CRISIS IN COMMONS PASSED NARROWNESS OF MAJORITY LONDON, Thursday. The crucial division in the House of Commons on the Coalmines Bill, when the Government survived a hostile amendment by a dangerously narrow margin, was preceded by scenes such as have rarely been witnessed in the House in modem times. Every party had whipped up its supporters to the last man. There was the most tense feeling in all parts of the crowded Chamber when Mr. E. C. Davies, Liberal member for Montgomery, moved the crucial amendment. The impatience of members was so great that he cut his speech very short. Sir L. Worthington-Evans led the Conservatives* attack. He described the Bill as a new departure in the economics of politics and the latest form of Socialism seeking to attain nationalisation through the ruin of the coal industry. Mr. A. Bevan, Labour member for Ebbw Vale, Monmouthshire, vigorously defended the Bill. LLOYD GEORGE DERIDED Mr. Lloyd George said the mine owners had rejected the Bill as a whole and 90 per cent, of the exporters had voted against it. The quota system meant a limited output which would inevitably increase costs. Mr. T. Griffiths, Labour member for Pontypool, Monmouthshire, said the only bright spot was the Wales tin plate industry, which was run on the system of quotas and fixed prices. The debate was carried on in the midst of excited cheers. Impatience increased as division time approached. Visitors in the galleries had to be restrained from standing in their places when the amendment was put. Mr. Lloyd George and his son immediately went to the division lobby, but several other Liberals remained in their places. As tho members filed hack Mr. George was received with a roar of derisive Ministerial cheers and shouts of: “Good old Tory!” The Prime Minister, Mr. MacDonald, was welcomed hack with thunderous and continuous applause from the Labour benches. He stood for a moment visibly affected by emo--1 1 HOSTILE BLOCK VOTE Every Conservative present except one who abstained from voting voted against the Government. Most o the 54 Liberals followed Mr. Lloyd George, and voted against the Government, but four Liberals and four Independents voted with the Governm Eight Liberals, including Mr. Walter Runciman, Sir Donald Maclean, Sir G Godfrey Collins and Mr. E. D. Simon saved the Government by not voting. , „ , Mr William Graham s closing speech on behalf of the Government was a brilliant feature of the debate. It was full of close argument and delivered without a note,- the Minister having a wonderful memory. When Labour’s escape from defeat was assured, the President of the Board of Trade went to his room and called in a doctor. Mr. Graham did not collapse, but the strain of his recent work at Geneva and in Parliament has manifestly been too great for him. He has been ordered to take a holiday out of London. Sir W. Edge, who voted against the Liberal amendment, later tendered his resignation as Liberal W tup to Mr. Lloyd George.