SURPRISING DEFEAT
CONSERVATIVE MINISTRY ELECTRICITY SUPPLY BILL REJECTED BY HOUSE. LABOUR OPPOSITION. By Telegraph—Press Assn.— Copyright Reuter’s Telegram. (Received February 26, 11.45 p.m.) LONDON, February 26. In the House of Commons'there were Labour cries of “Resign” on the defeat by 183 to 180 of a private bill promoted- by the County of London Electric Supply Company, which the Minister for Transport supported. Mr A. Barnes (Lab.) moved the rejection of the bill on the ground that it belonged to a group of bills introduced for the purpose of forestalling a national scheme for electricity supply. A number of members, including Sir L. Worthington-Evans, Secretary for War, attacked the bill. NOT BN "KING’S ROLL" PREFERENCE TO EX-SOLDIERS. REVELATION IN DEBATE. Australian and N.Z. Cable Association. (Received February 26, 8.50 p.m.) LONDON, February 26. The defeat of the Electricity Bill in the House of Commons' was entirely unexpected. Opposition to it developed strongly, and a number of Conservatives finally joined the Labour members in the division lobby. Sir L. Worthington-Evans, Secretary for War, argued that the bill did not put the company under any obligation to generate or distribute electricity to any local authority. It contained no obligation to fulfil a public duty. Viscount Elveden (Con.) opposed the measure on the ground that it would establish a monopoly for all time, without the definition of “profits.” The “Daily Herald” comments: “The seemingly impossible has happened. Capitalism has suffered a defeat in a predominantly capitalist' Parliament.” The Conservative papers attribute the defeat of the bill to the statement made during the debate that the company was not on the ‘‘King’s Roll” of those giving preference to ex-service men, to which the reply was made that the company would enrol. It was affirmed by a number of Conservative members that they would oppose any hill brought forward in similar circumstances.
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Bibliographic details
New Zealand Times, Volume LII, Issue 12074, 27 February 1925, Page 7
Word Count
306SURPRISING DEFEAT New Zealand Times, Volume LII, Issue 12074, 27 February 1925, Page 7
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