BRITISH PARLIAMENT.

Otago Witness, Issue 3508, 7 June 1921, Page 23

BRITISH PARLIAMENT.

EXTENDING CREDITS. LONDON, May 30. The House a,dopted a resolution extending the credits and insurances scheme throughout the Empire, except India and the British possessions in the Far East, which the Prime Minister stated required certain consideration owing to the conditions under which outstanding commercial obligations had not been fully honoured. He emphasised that it was not desirable that credit facilities should be extended if they in any way prevented traders from discharging their full obligations. The Prime Minister pointed out that it was only when the banks would not take up business that the Government would step in. The scheme was entirely supplementary. INCREASED POSTAL RATES. LONDON, May 31. In the House of Commons Mr F. G. Kelleway (Postmaster-General) was sharply questioned in regard to the increased postal rates. He declared that the postage on newspapers and printed matter for abroad was not very remunerative, and he feared that- it would be impossible at present to reconsider the rates. He thought that there might be something in the suggestion that the United States had deliberately adopted the opposite policy with a view to encourage its export trade. He recognised the national advantage of increasing any means of propaganda in the interests of British trade; but that should be done frankly and openly by a vote of the House of Commons and not by a secret subsidy embodied in the Post Office Estimates. FREE RAILWAY FARES.

LONDON, June 1. Speaking in the House of Commons Mr Austen Chamberlain said he warmly favoured the payment of members’ fares. He instanced a Scottish member who was never able to go home during the session, and only saw his wife when she came to London on a deputation. Mr Chamberlain said he - would abandon the proposal not to charge income tax, as he understood that the revenue authorities were prepared to deal generously with members as re gards expenses. The House then rejected Sir J. G. Butcher’s proposal that third class tickets should be granted by 213 votes to 104, but a later division was definitely against any free tickets, which was a surprise. The proposals were defeated bv 197 votes to 171. Sir D. Maclean aroused hot protests by Labour members by saving that the Government was relying * upon Labour to help it out. An odd situation has arisen, as the Government has already distributed free railway vouchers, and a number of members have availed themselves of them. CONVERSION OF WAR BONDS. LONDON, June 1. Mr Hilton Young, Financial Secretary to the Treasury, states that approximately £148,000,000 in National War Bonds has been converted into per cent, stock. The Financial Times says that the failure of a substantial proportion of the holders to convert must embarrass the country’s finances, and load the Budgets with provisions for compulsory debt redemption for years ahead. GENERAL ITEMS. LONDON, June 1. In the House of Commons an Opposition uproar followed the application of the closure to the debate on a financial resolution in relation to the protection of key industries. The closure was carried by 177 to 59. The House of Commons Committee definitely rejected the Canvey Island Deep Water Wharf Bill, and awarded the Port

of London Authority, who opposed the Bill, its cost:-:. The House of Commons read the Railway Bill a second time bv 259 votes to 65. Replying to Lieutenant-commander J. M. Ken worthy regarding the United States Senate passing Senator Borah’s resolution, Mr Lloyd George said he had not yet received an invitation t-o attend a conference on the limitation of naval armaments. OPPOSITION TO POSTAL INCREASES. LONDON, June 2. Australian commercial circles are seriously concerned about the impending increase in postal rates which operate in a fortnight, under which postage on books, newspapers, trade journals, and other printed matter to the dominions will be doubled, though letters are not affected. The proposal is viewed with alarm. The Foreign Office Department of Overseas Trade is strongly remonstrating against the weakening of propaganda abroad hampering communications and trade, and the dissemination of British views and ideas. The Chambers of Commerce throughout the 'country, newspaper proprietors, and publishers are making strenuous efforts to secure the retention of the present rates.