HOME POLITICS.

Taranaki Daily News, 19 May 1922, Page 5

HOME POLITICS.

THE SURPRISE DEFEAT, ECONOMY THE ISSUE. DISSOLUTION PROBABLE. By Telegraph.—Press Assn.—Copyright. Received May 18, 5.5 p.m. London, May 17. Mr. Austen Chamberlain, replying to a question in the House of Commons, said the Government could not but consider last night’s vote as serious in the refusal of the House to support them in the steps thought necessary to secure a reduction In public expenditure and an alleviation of the public burden. Whatever might be said about the exact significance of the vote, the decision of the House had been given upon a dilatory motion, on whieh it was not in order to argue the merits of the case, and in these circumstances the Government decided to appoint a select committee, consisting of not more than nine members, to report whether in fixing the present scale of salaries any undertaking had been given or implied that the provisions of the Teachers’ Superannuation Act should not be altered while these salaries remained in force. To meet the additional burden in consequence of a vote of approximately £200,000 monthly, the Government would immediately bring down a supplementary estimate of £600.000 to cover the charge during the first quarter of the year. Replying to further questions, Mr. Chamberlain said he well knew when he went to the division that the Government stood in grave danger of being beaten, but he considered it his duty to put the responsibility on the House, The Government considered that the supplementary estimates should be taken at the earliest possible moment, perhaps next week. Mr. Kenworthy: “And go to the country on it?” Mr. Chamberlain: “Yes, if it is necessary.”