HOUSE OF COMMONS

Greymouth Evening Star, 8 May 1924, Page 5

HOUSE OF COMMONS

A CONSERVATIVE ATTACK.

(Australian and N.Z. Cable Association.]

LONDON, May 5.

The House of Commons read for the third time, Sir J. Simon’s Eviction Bill. »

Mr. Baldwin gave notice of a motion that it is not expedient to remove the McKenna Duties amidst the present distresses. The Daily Telegraph’s Parliamentary correspondent understands that a meeting of the Conservative leaders decided that the time had arrived for a more vigorous policy against the Government. Labourites challenge that their opponents dare not defeat them because they do not want an election themselves, will be taken up. Murder of Typiste — t

SUGAR PREFERENCE DUTIES. LONDON, May 6. A proposal to stabilise preierence on Empire sugar at 51gd per hundred weight, for one year, as compared with the ten years recommended at the Imperial Conference, was made in an amendment moved by Sir Mitchell Thompson, in the course of the Budget discussion. He advanced a strong plea on behalf of the Crown Colonies specially concerned. The amendment was rejected by 243 to 182. LATER. Sir Mitchell Thompson, speaking to his amendment, pointed out the effect of the Budget proposals wouiu to reduce preference proposals to Is a hundredweight. He contended the preference in the' pasjt Had resulted in an increase of Empire sugar production from eighteen percent of the world production in 1913 to twenty-two last year. He compared the preference of 33s lOd a ton given by Britain to tire West Indies with £lO given by the United States to Porto Rico. He, maintained that the expansion of Empire sugar industry was essential, politically, fiscally, commercially and imperially. Hon. Ormsby Gore, in seconding, maintained that the Colonial Secretary had failed lamentably in not impressing on the Chancellor consideration for the West Indies and Mauritius interests, which demanded the stabilisation of preference. ’The worst feature of the Budget was the repudiation of the responsibilities to tropical Crown Colonies. Mr Snowden, opposing, said the total Empire production only increased ten per cent in three years since preference began to operate, while the West Indies, for which a special plea was entered, had actually decreased. Preference simply meant a subsidy by British taxpayers to the West Indies planters. It had disastrously reduced production of Empire sugar by twenty-five per cent.

Lord Percy, on behalf of'the Opposition, protested against the Government acting contrary to its pledge to take a free vote on the Economic Conference’s resolution.

Mr Graham replied that the. pledge only concerned the forthcoming cn'bate on the Imperial Conference. The sugar duties - resolution was confirmed unaltered.