BRITISH POLITICS.

Otago Witness, Issue 3515, 26 July 1921, Page 19

BRITISH POLITICS.

A GOVERNMENT DEFEAT. LONDON, July 19. In the House of Commons on the amendment to the Finance Bill to relievo the co-operative societies of the Corporation Profits Tax, the Government was defeated by 137 votes to 135. The Government will not attempt to recommit the Bill in order to restore the rejected clause, which means that co-operative societies will be exempt from corporation tax. PROTECTING INDUSTRIES. LONDON. July 19. The House of Commons adopted a new clause in the Finance Bill moved by Sir Robert Horne exempting from duty imported spirits produced in the Empire for the purpose of making power s 0 r industrial methylated spirits. Members pointed out that the concession would help the motor industry and would encourage the dominions to produce motor spirit to compete with petrol. July 21. The House of Commons in the committee stage inserted an. important new clause in the Bill for safeguarding industries on the motion of tho Government, providing that no order for imposition of a dumping duty shall be made unless the Board of Trade is satisfied that the industry which it is desired to protect is being carried on reasonably, efficiently, and economically. Mr G. Terrell declared that this was a wrecking amendment engineered by the Freetrade supporters of the Government. THE GOVERNMENT CRITICISED. LONDON, July 21. There was an exciting debate in the House of Commons on a motion by Mr Asquith to reduce the vote for the Ministry of Health by £IOO as a protest against the housing reductions. Dr Addison, who lately resigned from the Ministry of Health, took the opportunity to make a vehement attack on the Government, and was loudly cheered by the expectant Opposition. He denounced economy in housing matters when millions were being spent in Russia, Mesopotamia. Palestine, and Turkey. Mr Lloyd George, in a fighting speech, administered a crushing rebuke, which delighted tho Coalition members. The Prime Minister commenced by tauntng Dr Addison with enjoying the freedom of a resigned Minister. There was, lie said, always plenty of zeal among the Opposition for returned prodigals. Nevertheless a few days ago ho was personally defending Dr Addison from his present friends who grudged him two months' salary. Dr Addison was winning fame cheaply bv the sacrifice of his two months' salary. (Uproar, and cries of “Lime house!” “Withdraw!”) The Speaker interposed, pointing out that Dr Addison had strongly attacked the Government, and the Opposition musl listen to the reply. He temporarily re

stored order, and Mr Lloyd George, continuing, said that the Government's policy was to avoid commitments which would enable builders to put up the prices against the Government. The interruptions continued, chiefly front the Labour Party, which was angry. In a. dashing counter-attack, Mr Lioyd George concluded, “Housing has been out down because we are facing one of the gravest trade slumps Great Britain has ever witnessed, and the Government is faced with a most anxious monetary' position.” Mr Asquith's amendment was rejected by 255 votes to 67. GENERAL ITEMS. LONDON. July 18. The Australian Press Association understands that the Treasury will not allow any new issues of trustee stocks like colonial loans for the next two months in order to prevent competition with the Imperial Treasury bonds, of which the Government wants to sell £300,000,000 worth, and they are not going off very well.