UNDER HEAVY FIRE

Manawatu Times, Volume XLIX, Issue 2670, 2 May 1925, Page 7

UNDER HEAVY FIRE

Churchill Provokes Labour

Benches

GOLD DECISION DENOUNCED

BY EXPERT.

lßy Electric- Cable —Copyright.} [Aust. and N.Z. Cable Association.]

(Received Friday 7.45 p.m)

.LONDON, April 30

In .the Commons, the gold standard decision was assailed by a broadside, from the Conservative member, Sir Frederick Wise, the financial expert, ■who, after a detailed criticism of-v.-hat he termed a gamble which would probably benefit nobody but the United States, declared we did not want to borrow more from America and certainly did not want to be in her hands. Mr MacDonald denounced the Budpot on similar lines to Mr Snowden's speech. ~ Mr Churchill, in replying to the dehate. was in fighting mood He faced an angrey scene when Ho expressed the opinion that It was in the interests of the trade unions and employers to inform themselves to the danger in workers learning how to Qualify for unemployment insurance. There were Labour cries of ‘'Shame!” "Disgraceful!” “Insulting to the workers!” and “Withdraw!”, an of which continued in spite of the chairman’s appeals for order. Mr Churchill warmly declined to withdraw. A score of Labour members then sprang up. talking simultaneously. The Chancellor ironically commented on the rights of free speech and remained on his feet for fifteen minutes, vainly trying to get a hearing. Finally, he sat down, suggesting the motion should be taken forthwith, since the Opposition was not prepared to listen to the Government’s spokesman. The Communist member, Mr Saklatvala, rose to resume the debate, whereupon the bulk of the Ministerialists rose and walked out, Mr Baldwin moved the closure, amid, back-bench Labourite cries of I “Dirty!” I Labour members challenged the i division, but did not persist, on account of admonitions from Mr. MacDonald, who with the Labour front benches, did not participate in the interruptions. The committee stage was then closed, and the debate will be resumed on May 7.