M'KENNA DUTIES.

Press, Volume LX, Issue 18073, 15 May 1924, Page 9

M'KENNA DUTIES.

GOVERNMENT SUPPORTED.

CENSURE MOTION DEFEATED,

(bi cable—press associaTlok cotrtidfiT.) (AtfSTBALtAH AKD K.Z. CABLE ASSGetATiON.) LONDON, May 13. In the Budget debate, Mr Baldwin's censure motion was rejected by 317 votes to 242. (Received May 14th, 10.20 p.m.) LONDON, May 13. The House of Commons was crowded for the debate on Mr Baldwin's vote of censure. ' .Mr Baldwin said that British motorcars, known on the Australian market, were superseded by American cars during the war time, and it was still doubtful whether we could recover" the market. This decision would make it still more difficult. Furthermore, Canada benefited by preference given her under the McKenna duties, and the production of Canadian motor-cars increased largely, aided by American' Capital invested in Canada to get tho benefit of preference. He feared the Government had dealt a blow at Canadian trade which, coupled with the Government's action in regard to Imperial preference, would make the Dominions less responsible to any idea of reciprocity. He suggested an impartial enquiry into the question of the McKenna duties. Mr Snowden (Chancellor of the Exchequer) declares that the motor trade had ample notice to change the conditions. He aroused much opposition by attacking the agitation allegedly carried on,by employers among workers, and asked what good the duties had done the motor trade, seeing that 75 per cent, of British manufactures were specialised in British type to the exclusion of American competition. The British motor-car would find that it did not want protection when it got rid of watered capital and put its affairs on a sound financial basis. There could be no compromise over the withdrawal of the duties. Nine Liberals supported the motion, but no Labourite voted against the Government. [Mr Baldwin's motion was to the effect that it is not expedient to remove the McK,enna diitie s owing to the prevailing distress. In the' House, Mr J. It. Clynes announced that the Government would regard the motion as one of censure.]

"ONLY COURSE FOR LIBERALS."

(MTJTtB'B TM.*»AIM.) 'LONDON, May 14. Mr Lloyd George, speaking at, the National Liberal Club, after stating that Mr Churchill's attempt to make Liberalism the wing of the Tory bird was unlikely to attract many Liberals oh account of the inherent and irreconcilable antagonisms of the two parties, referred to the Labour Party's emphatic refusal to listen; to the suggestion for co-operation in the Parliament of the country. Mr Lloyd George declared: "The only course for Liberalsm is as a minority, standing alone, with' a vigorous policy and the watchword 'Liberty,' which is assailed by the Conservatives oh one hand, and the Labour Party on the other."

THE 1 GOVERNMENT ATTACKED.

« BY RHODESIAN OFFICIAL

(AUSTRALIAN, ASS N.Z. CABLE ASSOCIATION.) LONDON, May 13. In an outspoken speech during his visit to the Birmingham section of the British Industries Fair, ,Sir Bourchier Wrey, Chief Commissioner for Southern Rhodesia, expressed astonishment that, in view of what had happened, Dominion people intended to visit Britain in connexion with the Empire Exhibition. He said that the Government was prepared to extend the hand of friendship to Bolsheviks, while refusing encouragement and support to the Dominions. Also, it was further handicapping the British motor industry-.