BRITISH POLITICS

Nelson Evening Mail, Volume LVI, 11 April 1924, Page 5

BRITISH POLITICS

LAUSANNE TREATY

(By Electric Telegraph.—Copyright.) (Australian and N.Z. Cable Asaociation.)

LONDON, April 10. In the House of Commons Mr Thomas stated that as some Dominions objected to the publication of papers with regard to their acceptance of the obligations contained in the Treaty of Lausanne the Government was unable to publish the papers The debate was resumed on Mr Grigg’s amendment to the Lausanne Treaty Bill.

Mr Lloyd George, referring to Canada declining to be bound by the obligations of the Treaty, because she not invited to the Conference, declared that the omission to invite the Dominions was a very grave departure from a sound precedent and must disastrously affect the unity of the Empire unless it was made clear that it was not the position taken up by the British Government. He denounced the Treaty as humiliating and cowardly, and possibly calamitous.

Mr Baldwin denied that too great a price had been paid for the Straits. The Government of that day bad no idea the Dominions were not with them. Mr MacDonald said the Straits Convention could not lie separated from the Treaty. The Dominions, although represented at Sevres, did not participate in the negotiations. New Zealand, Australia and South Africa were in the same position as Canada regarding Lausanne, being represented by the same British delegates, and they received the same information. The former Dominions supported ratification. Mr Grigg withdrew his amendment, and the Bill was read a second time.

NEW EVICTIONS BILL

LONDON, April 10

A new Evictions Bill was introduced by Mr Wedgwood Benn, prohibiting the eviction of distressed tenants and providing for the reimbursement of claims by the local authorities, the tenant to be provided with a certificate of immunity from eviction, the local authorities to investigate an applicant’s resources and if necessary supplement them sufficiently to enable him to fetain his home and be entitled to' claim a refund of part of the money spent from the Treasury. The Bill was read a first time.

Conservatives accused the Government of evicting unemployed from Government property at Woolwich. Mr Amery’s speech irritated Labourites, who called Mr Amery “a little swine.” Later Messrs Buchanan and Maxton approached Mr Amery and an angry altercation followed and blows were exchanged until other members separated the combatants.