BRITISH PARLIAMENT

Hokitika Guardian, 12 July 1928, Page 3

BRITISH PARLIAMENT

IN THE COMMONS

(British Official Wireless).

LONDON, July 11. The Prime Minister in the Commons to-day said the support of the Imperial Wireless and Cable Conference had now to bo examined by the Governments concerned, but he hoped it would be possible to publish the report and ar- * range- for it to be debated before the i end of the session.

Ho had to-day sent a very urgent cable to every Dominion asking them to expedite the reply to the r United States proposal tor a multilateral treaty for the renunciation of war. This was the subject of further questions in the Commons. Sir Austen Chamberlain, said he confidently expected to lie able to solid a reply before the, end of the present session. Communication with the governments of the dominions and India was proceeding, hut he emphasised they had no responsibility for any delay which had occurred. He wished to bring the project to a successful conclusion and the cause of the delay was the consideration which the Government found it necessary to give to the important pro-

opsal. The assistance rendered by the Navy to the Australian Commonwealth liner Jervis Bay last month, was the subject of further questions. Asked as to cost Mr Bridgeman said in the absence of details, estimated at £SOO. Until the J full circumstances wore known, ho could, not say whether this would be charged to the owners of the vessel. It whs the duty of His Majesty’s ships to give every‘possible aid to vessels in danger or distress and if the service rendered came under the heading of salvaging service, the Crown was prevented from claiming expenses under the Merchant Shipping Act. He added that the word salvage was interpreted in rather a wide sense and he was advised that if tliero was nny mutiny, robbery or plunder concerned, the assistance rendered would be covered by the word salvage.

TOTE BILL

LONDON, July 11

lit iis understood Cabinet, largely as the result of Mr Churchill’s advocacy, has decided to take the unfinished Totalisator Bill and make it law during the present season.