BRITISH PARLIAMENT.

Hokitika Guardian, 14 July 1928, Page 3

BRITISH PARLIAMENT.

HIXCHCLIFFE’ S W IDOW.

(United Press Association.—By Electric Telegraph.—Copyright.)

LONDON, July 12,

In the Commons, Mr Churchill informed Mr Hore Belslm, that ho could not give an opportunity for discussing Lord Inchcape’s gift to the nation. Mr Hore Belisha, “ Without detracting Lord Inchcape’s generosity, Hinchcliffo’s widow says she has a sort of moral claim against the estate.” Tlie Speaker: “ That is not a matter for Mr Churchill.”

Mr Hore Relisha : " The State bonefitted from the accident, surely it is within Mr Churchill’s power to make provision for the widow or permit the Commons to discuss the desirability of doing so.” Mr Speaker: “Mr Churchill does not control the business of the House.” IN THE COMMONS. . LONDON, July 13. In the Commons, Mr J. T. MaePherson, referring to the Imperial CableWireless Conference, asked if the proposed new Communications Coy. would be on state or private ownership lines. It was most important, and it was also important to know whether tlie Post Office advocated that it should be a state or a private company. He welcomed the suggestion in the press forecast of tlie report that a proportion of tlio profits being reserved for the reduction of rates. The Post Office should be run on these lines, but the Exchequer had always been ready to seize surpluses. Mi- MaePlierson complained that despite the great postal surplus, reversion to penny postage was no nearer. Commander Burney called attention to the possibilities of an air mail service, stating that the Postmaster-Gen-eral should get into toucli with the Governments of India, Australia, New Zealand and South Africa, and ask them to come to a definite conclusion as to how they proposed to handle the whole question of trans-ocean air mails. The Minister’s reply (lid not refer to the Cables-IVireless Conference. He said tho Post Office was anxious to encourage the air mail, A hundred thou-

and pound weigl.t of letters and parcels had been despatched abroad m that manner last year. Practically speaking, the whole Empire was covered by the air mail service, with railway connections. The Post Office was anticipating the keenest interest in an ship development, which was promisee in the autumn. Sir Mitchell Thompson stated that tlie postal service to March 31 showed a surplus of £8,850, and the telegraphs a deficit of £1,389; the telephones a surplus of £l2O. Practically every Government in Europe believed that an efficient telegraph service was worth running at a loss. ,