BRITISH POLITICS

Manawatu Standard, Volume XLIV, Issue 1189, 11 December 1924, Page 5

BRITISH POLITICS

OPENING OF PARLIAMENT. BRILLIANT SPECTACLE IN HOUSE OF LORDS. [By Electric Telegraph—Copyright.] . LONDON, Dec. 9. Beyond the presence o£ a large force of police and a more vigilant serveillanqo. of tlic entrances to Parliament, there was no untoward incident, at the opening session. Scarcely a thought .seemed to be given to the Egyptian plot, Whitehall atjd other approaches to Westminster being .densely thronged by enthusiastic spectators, who uecorded an ovation to the Prince of Wales us he passed. A few minutes before the Royal procession, which was a most imposing array of magnificence, (lie Guards regiments lined the route, and detachments of Life Guards in glittering uniforms were included in the procession. The King and Queen unceasingly acknowledged the crowds’ unbroken chorus of cheering, which culminated in a rousing welcome at the gates of the House. The scene in the House of Lords was a most brilliant spectacle of . colour and jewels. Among the large assemblage of diplomatic corps wore 'representatives of Russia and Egypt, the only countries the reference to which in the King’s speech were embarrassing, Both representatives, however,' sut unmoved. Tlie High Commissioners occupied seats in the 'Lord Great Chamberlain's box. EMPIRE DEVELOPMENT. The outstanding feature of the King’s Speech, which was unusually long, was the frequency of references to Dominion affairs, substantiating Mr Stanley Baldwin’s platform pledges to make Empire development of first-rank consideration. The Speech declared: “It is (ho firm conviction of my Government that in the closest co-operation with tin* Governments of the Dominions and India, in all matters of mutual concern, lies mainly both the industrial progress and increasing unity and strength of the Empire. This will he the guiding principle of its administration. The policy of encouraging -Umpire settlement and mutual trude within the Empire is one which .my advisers deem of (ho greatest importance and to which they will steadfastly adhere. Proposals based on ilic recommendations of the Economic Conference of last year will be submitted granting further preferences on goods from the Empire. “The Government proposes, in accordance with the resolution of the last .Imperial Conference, to proceed with the plans already made for enlarging the Singapore base.” —A. and N.Z. cable.

SOME INTERESTING POINTS. SINGAPORE AND THE ALLIED DEBTS. LONDON, Dee. 10. The most interesting points in yesterday’s debate in the House of Commons wore Singapore and the Allied debts to Britain. When the Speaker read the King's Speech, with references to public economy, he was greeted by Labour cries of "Singapore.” Mr Lloyd George emphasised the fact that British taxpayers were paying £130,000,000 annually on account of the Allied debts, and lie asked whether Britain would continue to pay the United States while our Allies made no effort. Mr Baldwin, in replying, promised that the question of the debts would he debuted next week, and Mr Winston Church ill would state the Government’s position. Mr Llovd George aLo expressed regret that the Government had rushed to a decision regarding Singapore, It would have been better to have arranged for u consultation with the Dominions to sec if some agreement on the subject of contributions by the Dominons could he reached.

Mr Baldwin promised that there would he an opportunity for discussion on Singapore before the House rose. Mr Lloyd George asked whether there had been commimieations with the Dominions on this important'subject. Mr Baldwin: “We have begun already. We have nol yet come to a decision regarding the length of time over which the work will he spread, nor aiiy arrangement 'regarding the contributions to he given by Britain or the Dominions immediately concerned.” Mr Baldwin also Mated that the Royal Commission on food would present an interim report on moat and bread. Tim Daily Telegraph states that the sum the House will he asked to vote ns u first instalment for Singapore will not be large —possibly aboul £70,000. The Telegraph’s diplomatic correspondent says iliore are three important uspeets of the Singapore base which are not generally borne • in mind. The first is that the Washington agreement only runs for len years. There is at present no guarantee of its extension, and if it is nol extended, communications with the Dominions would he entirely without defence by a modern battle fleet, failing suiahle harbour and docking accommodation. Secondly, a fleet based on Singapore could cover not only Australia and New Zealand, hut the eastern approaches to India. The correspondent adds that naval opinion in Holland and the Dutch East Indies is closely following the scheme, and welcomes the idea of a big naval base at Singapore. An informal Anglo-Dutch naval entente in the Far East may he realised in the not distant future. —A. and N.Z. cable.

MR MACDONALD’S CRITICISM. LONDON, Dee. 9. In the House of Commons the mover of tin- Address-in-Reply was Mr Ellis, Conservative, and the "seconder. Lord Balniel. Both emphasised the importance of improving iutcr-lmperial trade. Mr Ramsay MacDonald said that the first product of the Government was the King’s Speech, which was of extraordinary length and very little substance. The Government had no policy in regard lo food prices and agriculture. He asked how the Government was going to submit die ease of the Geneva no-inore-war protocol lo the Dominions. Was there going to be a special Dominion Coi/ference, and if so, would the international conference on armaments be postponed? Mr .MacDonald urged that no time ought: to be lost in coining to an agreement with Egypt in regard to future Anglo-Egyp-tian relations, and said that; any arrangements must be assented to by the Egyptian Parliament. Tile Labour leader asked if Mr Baldwin was going to run Imperial preference without a tax on food. “Are we. going io have tinned salmon again?” (Laughter.) Mr Baldwin, in replying to the criticisms of Mr .MacDonald and Mr Lloyd George, said that the Government would have been foolish to rush the acceptance of the Geneva protocol without rite fullest investigation in conjunction with the Dominions. After reference to Singapore, Mr Baldwin said that as regards protection he adhered to his previous statement, that while he would employ the Safeguarding of Industries Act to safeguard efficient industries, in which a great amount of unemployment was due to unfair competition, lie would not introduce protection during this Parliament, nor use the Safeguarding of Industries Act us a means to introduce it. The debate proceeded along general lines, and was adjourned till to-morrow. The House of Lords agreed to the Ad-. dress-in-Replv.—A. and N.Z. cable.