DEFEATED

Hawke's Bay Tribune, Volume XX, Issue 75, 12 March 1930, Page 7

DEFEATED

BRITISH LABOUR GOVERNMENT CONSERVATIVE AMENDMENT CARRIED. LEVY ON COAL EXPORTS. (United Press Association— By CableCopyrigbt.J (Received 12, 12.15 p.m.London, March 11.

The Government suffered defeat in the House of Commons to-night when the conservative amendment deleting the levy on behait ot exports from the Coal Bill was carried by 282 votes to 274.

Mr. Herbert Samuel’ asked how the Government could go to Geneva and ask the delegates to abandon all subsidies on exports when it was itsell taxing home manufactures by increasing the price of coal in order to give a subsidy which would enable foreign manufacturers who were competing with Britain to get their fuel more cheaply. bn Cunlitte Lister said there was no merit in the levy on the goalowners who could make their own ar. raugements to subsidise their particular class of coal without the element ot compulsion. Mr. Graham said that there was nothing new in the proposal for a levy. If the clause was defeated all hope of assist ng the iron and steel industries would disappear. While the division was being taken it was obvious that the result would be very close, as tho Liberals were vbting solidly against the Government. When the figures were handed to the Conservative whip it was plain that tho Government had suffered the first defeat. The members of the Opposition rose in their seats and cheered and waved order papers. It was a full minute, before the din subsided and tho division was announced.

Tho Bt. Hon. Stanley Baldwin asked, “Does the Prime .Minister propose to go ou with the Bill” The Et. Hon. J. Bamsay MacDonald, who was loudly cheered, said that he was amazed at the question, “Tho Government intends to proceed with tho programme until a vote of censure is passed on tho general question,” he said.

There were 42 Liberals, 238 Conservaties, and two Independents who voted agaiust tho Government. Mr. Lloyd George was absent through illness.