BRITISH POLITICS.

Hawera Star, Volume XLVIII, 13 December 1924, Page 5

BRITISH POLITICS.

WORKERS’ WEEKLY

QUESTIONS IN COMMONS. BY CABLE—PRESs ASSOCIATION—COPYRIGHT LONDON, Dec. 11. In the House of Commons the Premier (Mr. Stanley Baldwin) evoked ironical laughter when replying in the negative to a question as to whether it was proposed to hold an inquiry into the Campbell (Workers’ Weekly) case. The Premier contended that the electorates had given a final and decisive verdict on this subject. He added in this connection that the Government had reversed its predecessor’s instructions, under 'which the Attorney-General was instructed not to pursue political prosecutions without the sanction of Cabinet. The present Government Reid that such instruction was unconstitutional, subversive of the administration of justice, and derogatory to the Attorney-General’s position. The Opposition leaders protested that they had only followed precedents, and asked for an opportunity to discuss the matter after Christmas. Replying to Mr. Arthur Ponsonby, Mr; Baldwin stated that the Government was communicating with the Dominions, and he hoped to be able to make an announcement shortly regarding the proposals for a preliminary inquiry into the system of consultation on matters of foreign policy outlined by Mr. J. H. Thomas (ex-Colonial Secretary) in July. , Sir Newton Moore (Conservative) asked whether the Government will pi opose to alter the Geneva disarmament protocol so as to ensure that such a question as the maintenance of a Avhito Australia shall not be submitted to review bv the League of Nations. Mr. Baldwin said the Government’s policy regarding the protocol had not vet been settled, hut questions of this kind wei'e not likely to be overlooked.