BRITISH POLITICS.

Otago Witness, Issue 3429, 2 December 1919, Page 24

BRITISH POLITICS.

(By Cable.)

REGULATING TRADE.

LONDON, November 20. In the House of Commons Sir Auckland Geddes (President of the Board of Trade) introduced an Imports and Exports Regulation Bill, which proposes to constitute a committee to regulate the importation of goods with a view to preventing dumping, and safeguarding key industries and industries affected by'the depreciation of foreign currency, also assisting in the > revival of hop-growing. It proposes a tern--porary regulation of the exportation of certain goods, authorisation to, grant credits, and undertaking insurances for the re-establishment of overseas trade.

SHORTAGE OF HOUSES CAUSES \ UNREST. LONDON, November 21. Mr Lloyd George, speaking in the House of Commons in reply to criticisms, said that the shortage of houses was a contributory cause of the disquiet and unrest. The shortage was interfering with the increased production „of food and the mobility of labour. He justified the builders' subsidy because a quick increase in the number of houses was necessary to social stability.

INDUSTRIAL COURTS BILL. LONDON, November 21./ The House of Lords passed the Industrial Courts Bill and the Royal assent has been given.

JAPANESE TRADE COMPETITION LONDON, November 24. In the House of Commons Sir Auckland Geddes, in reply to questions, stated that skilled time workers in Britain were paid from 10s to 15s for an eight-hour day. Some skilled workers in Japan were paid 9s for a 12-hour day, but other factors had to be considered.' He saw no reason at-present to fear that British manufacturers would-be unable to hold their own in competition with Japanese. The enormous increase in Japanese goods during j the war was wholly artificial. He did not believe these goods could hold the British'' or other markets when again subject to British competition. There was already every indication that markets which Japan had apparently gained in war time were hungering for British goods. Colonel C. Lowther called attention to a statement that Germany had an army of over half a million on a war footing. .Mr Bonar Law replied that to the best of the Government's belief the statement was exaggerated. The Supreme Council was meeting to consider the question in order that the terms of the treaty, after ratification, might be enforced. Bonar Law pointed out that the limitation of the German army was only effective after the ratification of the treaty. Marshal Foch could be trusted not to overlook the strength of German forces. PRICE OF COAL REDUCED. LONDON, November 24. Sir Auckland Geddes, President of the Board of Trade, stated that the Government hao: reviewed the entire position of coal prices. There were unexpectedly high profits being made from exported and bunker coal, but coal for inland cohsump tion was being sold at less than cost price. It had become necessary to modify the existing control by limiting the ex portable quantity, limiting orders and profits, and specially limiting the price of household coal, which will be reduced 10s per ton next week. November 25. Sir Auckland Geddes's dramatic announcement with reference to coal astonished the House of Commons, tlie trade, and public alike. It is interpreted as the first step in a general (Government attack on high prices. No one expected a 10s fall, especially as the (jlovernment is already subsidising household coal to the extent of 3s 4d per ton. The reduction represents £15,000,000, as household coal comprises approximately 30,000,000 tons out of a total of 185,000,000 tons for inland consumption. Sir Auckland Geddes in July estimated that his department received 65s for exported coal, but the price in October was 62s Bd. It is still doubtful whether the necessity for raising the railway rates may necessitate again raising the price. PROHIBITION NOT APPLICABLE TO BRITAIN. LONDON, November 26. Replying to a temperance deputation, the Prime Minister announced that a Bill was being prepared to continue liquor control. It includes the appointment of a commission to scientifically study the result of control and other temperance experiments. He had an open mind on prohibition, but thought it impossible to apply it to Britain. Its working in America should be carefully watched.

A LABOUB MOTION. The House of Commons, by 169 votes to 56, rejected Mr -J. H. Thomas's motion to introduce a Bill empowering the King to accept the surrender of peerages. BYE-ELECTIONS. THE SPEN VALLEY SEAT. LONDON, November 24, Sir John Simon has been selected as the Liberal candidate for the Spen Valley seat. November 25. The by-election for South Croydon resulted: Sir Alkn Smith (Coalition Unionist), 11,777; Houder (Liberal), 9573. November 28. The Chesterle Street by-election resulted as follows:—Lawson (Labour), 17,838 j Gilmour (National Democrat), 5313. FIRST WOMAN M.P. LADY ASTOE ELECTED. „ LONDON, November 28. The Plymouth by-election resulted: —• Lady Astor ... 14,494 Gay' (Labour ... 9,292 Foot (Liberal) ... 4,139 Lady Astor is the widow of the Hon. Waldorf Astor, who represented Plymouth in Parliament from 1911 to his death. He was the eldest son of Viscount As'tor, the "American millionaire, who became a naturalised British subject in 1899 and was created a peer in 1916. Lady Astor also is an, American by birth, hailing from Virginia. Her maiden name was Nancy Witcher-Langhorne, and she married Robert Gould Shaw, but was a widow when the late Mr W. Astor married her in 1906.