CUBA AND BRITAIN

Taranaki Central Press, Volume IV, Issue 406, 13 April 1937, Page 7

CUBA AND BRITAIN

Trade Pact Opposed. Havana, April 7. An effort to arouse public sentiment against ratiflcat on by 'tbe Senate of the commercial treaty signed by Cuba and Grer.t Britain on February 19 was made by members st the House of Representatives. 'Representative Eduardo Suarez Rivas, leader of the Democratic bloc recently formed “to fight military domination of the Government,” declared: “The executive power has invaded legislative functions” in promising that British insurance companies would not be s übject to legislation any more onerous than at ares ent.

With regard to exemption from Cuba's labour laws granted to British companies, Mr Rivas asserted: “If an exemption is to be made for the British, it should first have been granted to Spaniards, who a-e the only emigrants who create homes in Cuba 'and’ leave the fruit, of their labour to Cuban sons; and to Americans, who not only co-operated in

winning our independence, but have aided us more than any other nation with a commercial treaty very favourable to Cuba.” ' i Congressman Jesus Portocarrero, a member of the majority bloc in the House which brought about the impeachment of former President Miguel Mariano Gomez, proposed a resolution in the Lower Chamber asking President Federico Laredo Bru to make the treaty public, and charging that the Chief Executive had usurped the powers of Congress. He called .on the House to aid in the maintenance of the legislative power. However, only ratification by the Senate is necessary to sustain the treaty, and it it expected ithat military-controlled body will give its approval in the near future.