IN THE BALANCE

Poverty Bay Herald, Volume LV, Issue 17408, 5 November 1930, Page 7

IN THE BALANCE

BRITISH GOVERNMENT NO-CONFIDENCE ISSUE LIBERALS WILL NOT VOTE {Elec. Tel. Copyright—United Press Assn.) LONDON, Nov. 3. Jn the House of Commons, Mr. Neville Chamberlain, in moving the Conservative no-confidence amendment, condemned the Government’s inaction in connection with unemployment. It was he said, like a frightened puppy glued to u kennel, snarling and snapping, but afraid to come out. “\Ve have a plan,” he continued, ‘‘consisting of immediate protection in one form or another of the home market, and the ultimate attainment of the economic unity of the whole Empire.” He was convinced that a tariff was the easiest and least disturbing form of protecting the home market, though it might not be applicable to some articles. The protection of.the home market was the surest way of helping the worker. Mr. W. Graham, replying, said the situation in Britain was grave, but 21,COL),000 people through Europe were receiving public relief, the majority being in protectionist countries. The Government could not deal with the dumping of German and Russian wheat without .renouncing commercial treaties. Remembering our dependence on foreign countries, Britain would, be placed at a disadvantage if she entered into a game' of tariffs with retaliatory tariffs. Referring to. Mr. Bennett's offer, he pointed out that all. the Dominions were protecting their own manufactures, and none were likely to agree drastically to reduce tariffs on articles of the greatest importance to British maiiutacturers. FOREIGN OBLIGATIONS . We must, lie said, remember our foreign trade obligations. Apart from tariffs, much could be done by what might be described as voluntary preferences within the 'Empire. He instanced Empire rationalisation, bulk purchases, import boards, improved marketing, and added that, these were being carefully analysed and discussed by the Government, which had not entered the Imperial Conference empty-handed, though it might have suffered from failure to advertise its wares. The greatest contribution Britain could make in the voluntary field was a drastic _ reorganisation of her great industries like coal, iron, steel and cotton to meet the new conditions of world commerce. Sir Herbert Samuel said the Govern ment’s lack of activity in dealing with real distress made it difficult to cooperate with them, but the Liberals saw the real meaning of the amendment, and, therefore, they would not support it.

The debate was adjourned. Interest is manifested in nil nnnrters concerning the attitude of the Liberals towards the Government. ■lt is believed that Mr. Lloyd George is dissatisfied, but hositalos to. strike a blow involvin'.: a general election. Liberal Parliamentarians meeting to consider the party’s attitude towards the Conservative amendment to-nigiht decided bv a mnioiitv to abstain from participating in the division.