BRITISH POLITICS.

Lyttelton Times, Volume CXVII, Issue 18285, 22 December 1919, Page 7

BRITISH POLITICS.

RUMOURS OF GENERAL ELECTION By Telegraph—Proas Association—Copyright Australian and N.Z. Cable Association. LONDON. December 18. There have latterly been many vague rumours regarding a possible general election in the near future. The “ Daily News ” to-day circumstantially predicts an election in February, and says the abandonment of the Coal and Anti-Dumping Bills and the postponement of Home Rule are part of tho election plans, because they would produce divisions in tho Coalition if proceeded with; also that if Labour persists in the promised campaign for the nationalisation of the mines in February, and the threatened renewal of industrial strifo occurs, the Government will go to the country on an anti-Labour policy. The “Daily News” adds that the Government’s decision to prorogue before Christmas, instead of adjourning, is duo to tlip possibility of an election. , j; 9 COAL BILL DROPPED. LONDON, December 19. Ip view of recent developments tlio Government has dropped the Coal Bill. (Speaking in the House of Commons on the motion for the second reading of the Coal Industry Emergency Bill, Sir Auckland Geddes said that tlio crisis early in tho year, and the present crisis, were justification for tho Bill, which automatically followed the Government’s acceptance of tho Sankey report. It also limited tho mine-owners’ profits to Is 2d per ton. . The industry was now in such a condition that something must be done, but if control were suddenly dropped chaos would ensuo. The Bill was only intended as an emer* gency measuro to tho end of March. The Government did not regard the limitation of profits as sound in principle, and would absolutely oppose such a method of dealing with the industry in normnl times. Mr Leslie Scott (Coalition Unionist) moved tho rejection of the Bill. Mr \V. Adamson (Labour) announced that the Labour members refused to support the measure, the miners’ executive having that day decided that tho Bill was not acceptable. Mr Bonar Law announced that withdrawal of the Bill ivould result in great financial difficulties, owing to tho recent reduction of ton shillings a ton in tho price of household coal. Ho agreed to'the adjournment, expressing tlie hope that a solution would bo found.) SECRET DIPLOMACY CONDEMNED. (Received December 21, 6.5 p.m.) LONDON, December 18. On tho third reading of the Appropriation Bill Sir Donald Maclean (Liberal, Midlothian) condemned secret diplomacy and asked .whether Britain had agreed to assist in the defence of France, regardless of America’s attitude. Ho also demanded information regarding Italy, which undoubtedly was a dangerous storm centre. He deplored > the widespread private extravagance in Britain, resembling a mad dunce over | an infernoj Lord Robert Cecil stated that only i tlio early ratification of Peace would relieve the European tension. He regretted that the Government was apathetic towards the League of Natio is. There was no indication that the Government was determined to make the League a success. Mr J. 11. Clynos said that the pecplo were athirst for information. Foreign negotiations must not bo treated as during tlio war-time.