OTTAWA PACTS.

Auckland Star, Volume LXIII, Issue 261, 3 November 1932, Page 7

OTTAWA PACTS.

DURATION QUESTION. New Governments May Revoke Agreements. DEBATE CONTINUED. (United P.A.—Electric Telegraph—Copyright) (Received 1.30 p.m.) LONDON, November 2. In the committee stage of the Ottawa Agreements Bill, Mr. J. Tinker (Lab., Leigih) moved that three months' notice must be given before orders under the agreements could be revoked. Mr. Neville Chamberlain, Chancellor of the Exchequer, said Britain was not likely to frustrate or revoke agreements which had taken siach trouble to make, but must contemplate the possibility of one of the Dominion Governments being superseded by another administration, which would refuse to abide by the agreements. If t]ie amendment was carried such Dominion would immediately cease to fulfil its obligations, but Britain was compelled to carry out hers for three more months. Sir Herbert Samuel said Mr. Chamberlain's admission of euch a possibility showed the dangers that the Liberals had emphasised. If an election was fought in Britain, as it must be, on the tariff issue and another party came into power the agreements must be continued till the expiration of five years. It was better to provide for the termination by either side on six months' notice. Mr. Tinker's amendment was rejected by 240 votes to 55. Mr. L. S. Amery, formerly Dominions Secretary, said the "whole meat decision of the Ottawa Conference reflected little credit on the Governjnent's foresight and courage. It should have concerned itself primarily with the defence of British agriculture, which for such help ae it received had to thank the Dominions rather than the British representatives. The Chancellor of the Exchequer, Mr. Neville Chamberlain, saifl he was con j vinced that the Ottawa decisions constituted the only way to secure the stability of the livestock industry in Britain. Earl Winterton (Con., West Sussex) said the farmers- were facing a situation graver than had existed for a century. It was common talk in the lobby that the only reason why the Government adopted the quota system instead of a tariff was that one member of the Cabinet was opposed to a tariff. Cries of "Who is he?" Earl Winterton: A member of one of the Liberal parties. Mr. Percy Harris (Lib., Bethnal Green) said he would reveal the Minister's identity. He was Mr. Walter Runciman, who had given a pledge to his constituents that he wonild permit a quota instead of an honeet duty. English and Scottish farmers were on the brink of collapse and quick action was needed to assist agriculture in connection with livestock. The amendment was defeated by 302 votes to 65.