“GET OUT YOUR ELECTION ADDRESSES!”

Grey River Argus, 18 May 1922, Page 5

“GET OUT YOUR ELECTION ADDRESSES!”

BRITISH GOVERNMENT DEFEATED IN DIVISION. TEACHERS' PENSIONS VERSUS ECONOMY. LLOYD GEORGE MAY RESIGN AT ONCE. [ Au.-tralimi and New Zealand Cable A - ion. j The British Government was defeated in a division in the House of Commons on the Teachers Superannuation Bill. Mr Lloyd George may resign, and much excitement exists over the Coalition reverse, which Labour members led in bringing about. America’s refusal to go to The Hague is not yet absolute. Russia’s delegates have put several leading questions re The Hague Conference, but nothing new transpired. The Genoa Conference ends this week. In Dr Liston’s case, tiie jury, amid great cheering in the Court, returned a verdict of “not guilty.’’ Justice Adams yesterday suppressed the details of a divorce under the new Act. N.Z. Health. Department is investigating a new plague serum. Dr Nansen appeals to the League of Nations , for medical and other help for Russia. The Genoa Conference is delegating the typhus question to the League. Lloyd George says it is safe to leave the Eastern frontiers questions in abeyance after Genoa Conference under the truce. Brennan, U.S.A, boxer, defeated Tracey, of Australia in eight rounds. Christchurch master butchers are cutting wages, but not Wellington master bakers. Queensland has secured a large navy meat contract. N.S.W. Government is moving to cut the basic wage and abolish the 44-hour week. Labour is uniting in opposition. The Federal High Court hold a co company cannot compel a i ully-paid up shareholder io fulfil a contract over a long term to give it all ?.is supplies, as being in restraint of trade. Chang Tso-Lin has declared Manchuria independent, and Wu-Pei-Fu is reported to have renewed fighting with him above Tientsin. Said the Rev. Parkin at the Australasian Congregationalist Conference: “Let us proclaim war for what it is- in all its stinking, starving reality—until men refuse to fight!’’ • (Received \lav 17, 7.55 p.ni.) LONDON, May IG. In the 1 louse of ('ominous the Government were defeated by three votes (151 to 118) in a division on the Teachers' Superannuation Bill, in which the Government proposed Io enforce a contribution ht the teachers towards Hieir pensions. 'flic defeat of the < loveiTinieiil was an unexpected one. A member after 1 lie division, moved 1 lie adjournment, but it is not anticipated that the Ministry will resign. The quite unexpeeied defeat of the Government has caused excitement m the lobbies and in the political chilis. . 'The resignal ion is expected of the ..muster ot Education, the KL lion. Mr Fisher. 'The resignation of the Government is unlikely, though it is possible. The reason a Cabinet resignation is possible is that the defeat lias arisen from an elloj't to give ellect to the report of the Geddes ( ‘ommiitee in favour qt economy. During the debate on 1 he second reading of the measure, namely the Teachers Superannuation Bill, the National Union of Teacher.-, which has a considerable voting power in the I louse of ( 'oninion proved unexpectedly active, There was so much lobbying, that the Government, scenting danger, had issued a three-line whip for 1 he debate, which ordinarily w, mid not attract 50 members. The Bill proposed that the teachers should eontribute 5 per cent, oi their salaries towards their pension, Ums saving £2,300,000 annually. The Education Mini ter (Mr Fisher) argued the necessity for economy, lie showed that, the salaries for the teachers-have inerca -ed by 150 per cent, in 1 he Jasl live years, and that their pension has been trebled. Several of the Labour members and other opponents of 1 he proposal 1 hen claimed 1 hat a bargain had been made with the teachers, and that am reduction in the pension would be a breach of the honour of .the House of Commons, which had agreed-to the bargain. Mr Fisher and Mr ( hainlieilain denied that any bargain had been made when the teachers salaries ]iad been fixed by the Burnham Committee. The excitement increased when Lord Robert Cecil moved the adjournment. Mr Chamberlain rel'iised to accept the motion. It was now evident that the opposition to the Government's proposal is Lathering strength, ft is evident the “ I lie Hards." the ('oalition-Liberals, and a number of the ('onservatives would be allied with the Labour members on the question oi thq adjournment. There was a sctisai ion when Sir F. .Liynson-11 i.-ks and Major E. Gray (two ( onservatives) who acted •is tellers, returned from the lobby and took qp Their position on the right of the table, with the Hoverninen whips on their left. There then arose a mighty cheer from the Opposition, and loud shouts of “Resign!" When Sir F. Joynson-llicks read the figures showing that the Government were in a minority, of three, Mr Chamberlain, who was greeted with cries of “Get out your election addresses," then immediately moved the adjournment of the House,

The’('abinet will hold a meeting to-morrow to decide what action the Government will take. The 1 general impression is that the Government blundered in allowing a division to be taken 1 wo hours before the H;ne mentioned in their three-line whip. 11. is also considered that the Rt. Hon. .Mr Fisher is unpopular with the Conservatives, and is an iiueoiiv incing debater. Nevertheless there are shrewd politicians who think that Mr Chamberlain purposely risked the defeat, as lie <-an now fairly claim that the Government are doing their best to economise, hut that a combinajion of the Opposition, obedient 1o the pressure of the teachers’ voles, has thwarted their efforts. Moreover Mr Llovd George may take the double event of this defeat in the House of ('ominous and the set-hack al Genoa, owing to America's refusal to attend at The Hague, as an occasion for his retirement, and may go in search of rest, which he badly needs. DR LISTON OVATIONED ON HIS ACQUITTAL. GREAT ENTHUSIASM EVINCED BY CROWD. [Special to the “Grf.v Hirer Argus."] AUCKLAND, May 17. There was intense excitement in the Supreme Court to-day. when the jury in Bishop Liston's case returned with a verdict of “not guilty. The gallery was thronged with women, who burst into loud and prolonged cheers. The Bishop and his counsel (Mr P, .1. O’Regan) remained indoors, waiting for the crowd to disperse, and finally they left by stealth in a motor car. The greatest enthusiasm was evinced by Ihe crowd, and tjie appearance of flic Bishop was Ihe signal for an ovxrion, (ongratulations are now pouring in to Dr Liston. DESPERATION OF ENGLAND’S UNEMPLOYED. LARGE CROWDS ATTACK FACTORIES. [Benter’s Talegrams.] LONDON May 15. I Hiring 1 hi 1 past few weeks, bodies of unemployed have visited various factories in Sheffield intimidating the workers, many of whom were terrorised into leaving their employment. Manv workers are now guarded by police. The Police Charge With Batons. A crowd of 8000 attacked Dessop’s Works, and overpowered the guard and wrecked the offices. A small bodv of mounted police was driven back by vollevs of stones. Finally a police squad and 40 mounted men charged with batons, scattering the crowd. THE NEW SOUTH WALES BASIC WAGE. A BIASED TRIBUNAL. [Australian and New Zealand Cable Association.! SYDNEY, May 17. 'Die committee appointed by the Trades I nions to consider the new basic wage has drafted a report of fourteen points, repudiating the verdict on Hie grounds that the Board of Trade was not impartial, and 1 lie-declaration was based on unreliable data. Ihe committee also objects that whilst the basic wage increased onlv once in a vear. it has now been decreased twice in six months. The discrepancies between Heydon’s and Biddington's estimates of the various items in Hie cost of living, particularly rents qre referred to as a testimonv of the unsatisfactory method of arriving at a living wage. The former specified 14 6 and Piddington 22 6 for a house with an extra room. ANTI LABOUR WAR IN NEW SOUTH WALES. SYDNEY, May 17. The Government has decided ta, apply to the Court for a reduction of 7 weekly from July 1 in the wages of public servants. It is estimated that this will result in a saving of £300,000 annually. The Government has also decided to introduce next session a Bill abolishing the 44-hour week. A meeting of union leaders decided that Hie most effective resistance possibfr he made against anv wage reductions, and that steps he taken to ellect a consoliilation of unions for this purpose. ONE THOUSAND EX-SOLDIERS ON THE BREAD LINE. CHILDREN DIE OF MALNUTRITION. SYDNEY. May 17. Officials of the Returned Soldiers’ Association slate that m arly 1000 returned soldiers arc unable to find work, and are literally on the bread line in Svdnev \l least another 1000 in other parts of Hie State are praet ieally destitute. Officials declare that the Government dole leaves Hie men in the position of watching lb?ir children die of malnutrition and lack of medical necessity. They bitterly complain of the apathy of employers and the Federal Government officials.

WINDING UP GENOA CONFERENCE. | Aus! r.qliaii and New Zealand (’able Association.] GENOA, May 16. There is some idea of a filial 'plenary session being held on Thursday, hut it is more likely will be held on Saturday. A programme for terminating the Genoa ('onference has been deferred until the Russian reply is received. The meeting of the Sub-('oinmirtee agreed that, although The Hague has been nominated as the [ila.ee of meeting ot 1 he next coni erence, the matter is still open to discussion. It was decided that the findings at The Hague must be referred To the various Governments for acceptance. It was also decided that the respective Governments’ sovereignty must lie maintained. 'l’hc Suh(’ommittee has decided that the period of time is still a matter for discussion. but must lie decided a< Genoa. —_ s GERMANY’S EXCLUSION FROM THE HAGUE. (Received Mav 17, 9.30 p.ni.) GENOA, May IG. T’he Russian delegation at Genoa to-day attended the Sub-( ’ommission. M. Tchitclierin asked a number of questions regarding The Hague proposals. He asked why Germany was excluded. To this query the reply was given that Germany had made a separate treaty with Russia, and M. Tchitcherin was reminded of the decision a month ago. Another Russian Query. Secondly, the Russian delegate asked what Power would preside at Die Hague. Thereupon it was explained that The Hague < 'ommission would appoint its own chairman and the secretariat. Question of Soviet’s Recognition. M. Tchitcherin was also informed that the Soviet’s desire for recognition would depend on The Hague report. LLOYD GEORGE ON THE EASTERN FRONTIERS GENOA, May 16. Air Lloyd George, while regarding the Eastern Galician frontier question as dangerous, said to-day he thought that with the truce proposed, the difficulty would he removed. Therefore it is wiser not to press the question at this stage. He thought that Hungary and Bulgaria should be allowed to hand the conference their statements regarding the treatment of minorities. It is understood this course will satisfy both ■ countries and that the conference should hand statements to the League of Nations. SCRAMBLE FOR RUSSIAN TRADE CONCESSIONS. A “KLONDYKE” RUSH FOR THEM. LONDON, May 16. 'Die “.Daily Mail's” (lenoa correspondent says: — The sub-commission decided thi'y ihc pledge required from the States represented at The Hague < onference not to conclude arrangeihcnts with Russia during the life of the conference, shall not apply to treaties already negotiating, bid only iorbid new treaties. This follows on the Japanese official confirmation that thev are negotiating for a separate treaty . with Moscow, including as well as economic clauses, a political clause, regarding the evacuation of Siberia. Italy, Sweden, 'zecho-Slovakia are also about to conclude economic treaties with Russia. 'Die correspondent adds everybody believes immediately the Genoa (‘onlerence ends, there will be a Klondvke gold rush of big commercial interests to secure concessions from the Aloscow Government. Air Lloyd George, when asked if there was anything in the pledges made by nations attending T’he Hague ('oirfcrcncc 1o prevent this, replied: “No [lower on earth can [irevent negotiations with private persons.’’ RUSSIA AND JAPAN HAVE DEBATE. ~ GENOA, May 16. AL Tchitcherin started a lengthy coin roversy with Count Ishii at Ihe conference in regard to Japans attitude, to which Ishii replied by saying Japan was perfectly ready to conclude a pact of non-aggression. Signor replying to AL Tchitcherin, said the instrument of Hie truce \\>,uld he drafted here. V/ 'l'c]iitcheri'n asked for 24 hours to consider his reply, which was granted. « THE REAL BUSINESS GOES OVERBOARD. GENOA, May 16. A meeting of.the convening Powers decided to refer the Litiiuanian question and the anti-typhus campaign to the .League of Nations. The meeting urgently appealed to nations to contribute io the . League of Nation s campaign against tire disease. « - ATTEMPT TO COAX THE UNITED STATES. 1 ( ReceiKcd'Alav 17, 9.3(1 p.ni.) GENOA, May 16. It is understood that the I iiited States reply docs not indicate Air Hughes’s final decision. Signor Schanzer is still communicating with AVashingion, and it is hoped America may ultimately agree to attend at The Hague.