TELEGRAPHS BILL.

Grey River Argus, 12 December 1928, Page 5

TELEGRAPHS BILL.

LABOUR AMENDMENTS REJECTED. (Received December 11 at 8 p.m.) LONDON, December 10. In committee on the Imperial Telegraphs Bill, Labour members proposed a series of amendments and new clauses, interalia, prohibiting the new Communications Company from issuing N.W. capital, except at a rate ot interest fixed by the Treasury, limiting its capital to twenty millions, and insisting that a balance sheet be tabled in Parliament. All were rejected. Mr Grenfell proposed that there must be a full time chairman appointed by the Government, whereupon Labour members inquired whether this was to be Lord Birkenhead’s glittering prize of anything from fifteen te forty-five thousand a year.

Mr Samuel pointed out that both the British and Dominion Governments had to approve of the appointment. The Cabinet shared Mr Grenfell’s object. Labour members prevented Mr Grenfell from withdrawing his amendment, which was defeated by 196 to 105.

The bill passed the third reading by 235 to 96.