BRITISH POLITICS

Nelson Evening Mail, Volume LXIV, 21 February 1931, Page 7

BRITISH POLITICS

QUESTIONS IN COMMONS CHINA LOAN BILL HELP FOR AUSTRALIA (United Press Association—By Electric Telegraph—Copyright) LONDON. 20th February. In the House of Commons I)r. Addison told Mr Bylins (Liberal) that cattle from Ireland were graded and then given the home-killed mark. Mr Pybus: “In these circumstances should not Australian and New Zealand meat bo entitled to be marked English ?” Dr. Addison: “Rut Irish cattle are imported alive and slaughtered here.” Answering another question he said the total subsidy on home-grown beet sugar since 16th February, 1930, amounted to £22,157,727. Mr Snowden in answer to a question said the French debt to Britain in 1926, when the repayment agreement was made, totalled six hundred millions, the value of which in annuities calculated at 5 per cent, was 227 millions. On the latter basis the agreement remitted 62 per cent, of the debt. Reference to this tiad alrady been made to France in connection with the claims of English holders of French bonds. Mr Snowden further said ho doubled the practicability of imposing higher taxation on incomes from foreign investments other than Britain and the dominions and colonies,

The plea for the use of Australian hardwood sleepers in China was heard on the China Indemnity Application Bill.

Mr Leslie Boyce (Conservative) moved an amendment for the purpose of widening uio objects to which the four million sterling might be applied by the Board of Trustees. The China Bill provided that the money should be spent on the purchase of railway material in ihe United Kingdom. Mr Boyce said never before in the history of the- Commonwealth had she been in such need of orders from overseas. If the Government accepted the amendment all interested in the welfare of Australia would be extremely grateful. Mr Hannon (Conservative), seconding the amendment, said it would be a gesture of genuine friendship to Australia if it was accepted. Dr. Dalton, Under-Secretary for Foreign Affairs, replied that the Government would be very glad to do whatever it could both for Australia and other dominions interested in China trade.

The amendment was agreed to. EAST ISLINGTON SEAT RETAINED BY LABOUR LONDON. 19th February. The East Islington by-election, due to the death of Dr. Ethel Bentham (Lab.), resulted:— Mrs L. Manning (Lab.) 10,591 Brig-General A. C. Critchley (Empire Crusade and United Empire Party) 8,314 Miss Thelma Cazalet (C.) 7,182 Major If. E. Crawford (L.) 4,450 The figures at the General Election, 1929, were: Dr. Ethel Bentham (Lab.), 15,199; Major R. I. Tasker (C.), 13,641; E. C. Middleton (L.)> 11,136.

SUNDAY CINEMAS

(British Official-. Wireless) RUGBY, 19th February. The Home Secretary, Mr dynes, stated in Parliament that he was in consultation with the leaders of other political parties regarding Sunday opening of cinemas, which the Court recently declared to be illegal, contravening the 150 years old Lord’s Day Observance Act.

COLONIAL SERVICES

SUPPLEMENTARY ESTIMATES

RUGBY, 19th February. In the House of Commons the supplementary estimates for the colonial services were discussed, including the sum of £14,000 for Dominica on account of damage suffered from a hurricane, and grants and loans amounting to £300,000 in connection with a comprehensive development scheme in the sugar colonies, being undertaken as a consequence of the. serious depression.