BRITISH POLITICS.

Otago Daily Times, Issue 18199, 21 March 1921, Page 5

BRITISH POLITICS.

DECONTROL BILL PASSES COMMONS. LABOUR’S PROTEST. Frees Association—By Telegraph—Copyright. LONDON, March 17. The Coal Decontrol Bill was read a third time in the House of Commons at 3 o’clock this morning, despite attempts by Labour members to postpone decontrol for three months. Mr J. H. Thomas pleaded for further time in which to reach a settlement, without which a general stoppage was inevitable. Sir W. C. Bridgeman (Parliamentary Secretary to the Board of Trade) pointed out that three months’ delay would cost the taxpayers £15,000,000. —A. and N.Z. Cable. THE MINERS CONFERRING-. REDUCTION OF WAGES FORECASTED. LONDON, March 19, (Received March 20, at 5.5 p.m.) The _ Miners’ Conference recommended obtaining the opinion of the respective districts on the question of whether they would temporarily abandon the National Wages Board and the national pool and empower the executive to negotiate for an agreement on the districts’ basis to meet the present abnormal state of trade, and also to secure that the prices would be applicable when trade is more normal. It is understood that if the recommendation is accepted it will mean a weekly drop in wages of 42s in Cumberland, 31s m South Wales, 20s 6d in Scotland, 17s in Lancashire, and 6s 9d in Durham and Northumberland.—A. and N.Z. Cable.

LORD ROBERT CECIL EXPLAINS. LONDON, March 19. (Received March 20, at 11.5 p.m.) Lord Robert Cecil, in explaining his change over in the House' of Commons, said he was unwilling to be made a phonograph of in the House of Commons. Times had changed since the Conservative Party was formed, and they demanded independent judgment. He favoured retrenchment and industrial co-operation among all classes. The country was not ready yet for a Labour Government, but it should be possible to form a successful Government composed of the moderates of all the parties. The meeting he was addressing enthusiastically reaffirmed confidence in Lord Robert Cecil.—A. and N.Z. Cable. COLONEL AMERY’S SUCCESSOR. LONDON, March 19. (Received March 20, at 5.5 p.m.) The Morning Post states that Lieuten ant-colondl Leslie Wilson succeeds Colonel Amery at the Colonial Office. Colonel Amery’s. reported transference to the Admiralty has not been determined upon, pending Mr Churchill’s return from Egypt. —A. and N.Z. Cable. [Lieu ten ant-colonel Leslie Orm© Wilson, C.M.G., D. 5.0., has represented Reading as a Cpalition Unionist since 1913. He seryed in the South African war and on Gallipoli, and in France. He was appointed Parliamentary Assistant Secretary to the War Cabinet in 1918, and in 1919 first Parliamentary Secretary to the Ministry of Shipping, and then chairman of the National Maritime Board. He was A.D.C. to the Governor 'of New South Wales from 1903 to 1909.] ® ■