THAT DEFEAT

Feilding Star, Volume XVIII, Issue 4593, 19 May 1922, Page 1

THAT DEFEAT

MEANS INCREASED EXPENDITURE. (By Eleotrio Cable—Copyright.l (Austf. and N.Z. Cable Association.) London, May 17. The Hon. A. Chamberlain, replying to a question, said the Government could not but consider last night's vote as serious, in regard to the refusal of the House to support it in the steps thought necessary to secure a reduction in public expenditure and 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, whereupon it was not in order to argue the merits of the caso. In theso circumstances the Government had decided to appoint a Solect Committee, consisting of not more than nine members, to report whether in fixing the present scale of salaries ,an undertaking had been given or implied that tho provisions of tho Teachers' Superannuation Act should not bo altered, while these salaries remained in force, to meet the additional burden In consequence of this voto of approximately £200,000 monthly, tho Government would immediately bring down a supplementary ostimate of £600.000 to cover the charge during the first quarter of tho year. Replying to further questions, Mr Chamberlain said ho will know when he went to division that the Government stood in grave danger of being boatcn, but bo considered it bis duty to put the responsibility on the House. The Government considered the supplementary estimates should bo taken at tho earliest-possible moment, perhaps next week. , Commander Kenwortliy " " And go to tho country on itP" Mr Chamberlain: Yes, if necessary."