THE BRITISH CRISIS.

Manawatu Standard, Volume XLIII, Issue 401, 19 May 1922, Page 5

THE BRITISH CRISIS.

recent government defeat. INCREASED VOTE REQUIRED. LONDON, May 17. Ale Austen Chamberlain, replying to a question, in the House of Commons, said the Government could not but consider last night’s vole as serious in regard to the refusal of the House to support it in Ute steps thought necessary to secure a reduction in public expenditure and alleviation of the public burden. Whatever might bo said about die exact significance of the vote, the decision of the House bad been given upon a dilatory motion, whereupon it was not in order to argue the merits of the case. In these circumstances the Government had decided to appoint a select committee, consisting of not more than nine members, to report whether in fixing ibe present scale of salaries any undertaking had been given or implied that the provisions of the*Teachers’ Superannuation Act should not bo altered, while these salaries remained in force, to meet the additional burden. In consequence of this vote of approximately £200,000 monthly, the Government would immediately bring down a supplementary estimate of £600,000, to cover the charge during the first quarter of the venr,

Reliving' to further questions, Mr Chamberlain said lie well knew when he went to a division that tho Government stood in grave clangor of being beaten, but lie considered it his duty to put the responsibility on the House. The Government considered that tho supplementary estimates should be taken at the earliest possible moment, perhaps next week. Commander Kenworthy: “And go to (ho country on it?’’ , ~ Mr Chamberlain: “Yes, if necessary. A. and N.Z. cable.