LIVELY SCENES

Hawera Star, Volume XLV, 2 May 1925, Page 5

LIVELY SCENES

IN HOUSE OF COMMONS

DEBATE ON THE BUDGET,

DEMONSTRATION BY LABOUR

f.r CABLE— PRESS ASSOCIATION— COPYRIGHT LONDON, April 30.

In the House of Commons the Government’s decision to return to the gold standard was assailed by a broadside from a Conservative member, Sir Frederick Wise, a financial expert, ulio after detailf#! criticism of what he termed ‘‘a gamble which would probably benefit nobody but the United States,” declared that we did not want to borrow more from America, and certainly did not want to be in their hands. Mr. Ramsav MacDonald (Leader of the Labour 'Party) denounced the Budget on similar Jinfes to Mr. Philip Snowden’s speech. 1 Mr. Winston Churchill (Chancellor of the Exchequer), replying to the debate, was in lighting mood. He faced an angry scene when he expressed the opinion that it was in the interests or trade unions and employers to inform themselves of the danger in workers learning how to qualify for unemployment insurance. There were Labour cries of “Shame, “Disgraceful,” “Insulting to the workers,” and “Withdraw,” all of which continued in spite of the chairman’s appeals for order. Mr. Churchill warmly declined to withdraw. A score of Labour members then sprang up, talking simultaneously. Ihe Chancellor ironically commented on the right of free speech, and remained on his feet for fifteen minutes, vainly trying to get a hearing. Finally he sat down, suggesting that a motion should be taken forthwith, since the Opposition were not. prepared to listen to the Government spokesman. The Communist member (Mr. S. Sak. iatvala) rose to resume the debate, whereupon the bulk of the members of the Ministrv rose and walked out. The Premier (Mr. Stanley Baldwin) moved the closure, amid 'back bench Labourite cries of “Dirty.” Labour members challenged the division, but did not nersist on account of the admonitions from Mr. MacDonald, whq, with the Labour front benchers did not participate in the interruptions. The committee stage was then closed. The debate will be resumed on May