A CLOSE DIVISION.

Poverty Bay Herald, Volume LI, Issue 16672, 27 February 1925, Page 5

A CLOSE DIVISION.

ELECTRICITY HILL DEFEATED. REASONS FOR REJECTION. (Elcc. Tel. Copyright—-United Press Assn.) (Reuter’s Telegram.) LONDON. Fob. 25. In the House of Commons there were Labor cries of “Resign!” on (lie defeat, by 133 to 180, of a private Bill promoted by the County of London Electric Supply Company, which the Mitiishw for Transport supported. Air. Barnes moved its rejection on the ground that it belonged to a group of Bills introduced for the purpose of forestalling a national scheme of electricity supply. A number of members, including Sir Worthington Evans, attacked tlie Bill. (Australian and N.Z. Cable Association.) LONDON. Fob. 26. Tlie defeat of the Electricity Bill in the House of Commons was entirely unexpected Opposition developed stronglv. and a number of Conservatives final ’v joined the Laborites in the division lobby. Sir Worthington Evans argued that the Bill did not put the company under any obligation to generate or distribute electricity to any local authority. Tl contained no obligation to fulfil a public duty. Viscount Elvcden (Conservative) opposed the measure of the ground that it would establish a monopoly for all 1 inio without a definition of profils. The Daily Herald coin men! s: The seemingly impossible has happened. Capitalism lias suffered defeat in a predominantly capitalist Parliament. Conseii'valive papers attribute the de feat of the Bill to a statement made dm ing the debate that the company was not on the King’s roll of I hose giving preference lo ex-service men, to which Hi" reply was made that the company would enrol. It. was affirmed bv a number of Conservative members that tLev would oppose anv Bill brought forward in similar cireiuiisfanocis.