BRITISH TARIFFS

Northern Advocate, 9 December 1931, Page 5

BRITISH TARIFFS

IRON AND STEEL INDUSTRIES.

PARTY RIFT APPARENT,

(Received 11 a.m.) RUGBY, December 8

Lobby correspondents give prominence to a threatened revolt by a large body of Conservatives, who are insisting that something must bp done to protect the iron and steel industries before the Christmas recess.

The “Daily Express” mentions that the Liberal Leader, Mr. Lloyd George, has made a dramatic change in his plans for'an extended health trip in the East. He is leaving Colombo on December 14 in order to return to politics as quickly as possible. His friends say that ho has been most restive since he left England.

The “Daily Telegraph” says it is anticipated that Lord Sankey, Lord Chancellor, will shortly retire, and will gOflto India as chairman of the BoundTable Conference committees. Lord Hailsham will return to the woolsack, necessitating a now War Minister. The Prime Minister, Mr. Eamsay MacDonald, having accepted an enlargement of the j,erms of the Opposition motion of censure and the allocation of tomorrow and Thursday for its discussion in tin* House of Commons, a direct motion for the protection of the iron, steel, cotton and other industries, which had been moved by the Conservative tariff reformers, cannot now be moved.

The position of those Industries may be raised on the censure motion, but in view of its terms the possibility of a debate on this question being carried to a decision which might tie the hands of the Government is regarded as unlikely. Under the Standing Orders no subject involving legislation can be raised on the motion for the adjournment, and the “Times” says the Government is obviously unwilling to give time for a discussion of a motion, handed in by a section of its followers, which would pledge the House, if it wore carried, to ,the principle of immediate protection for these industries.