BRITISH AFFAIRS

Southland Times, Issue 19518, 18 May 1922, Page 5

BRITISH AFFAIRS

H POLITICAL SENSATION GOVERNMENT DEFEATED ON ECONOMY BILL RESIGNATION UNLIKELY. (By Telegraph— Pr« Assn.—Copyright i (Australian and N.Z. Cable Association) LONDON, May 15. After a debate on whether teachers should ontribute to their pensions, the Government, which favoured contributions, was defeated by 151 votes to 148. Mr Chamberlain moved the adjournment, which was carried, but it is not exj>ected the Government wiL resign. EXCITEMENT IN THE LOBBIES. AN UNEXPECTED RESULT. EDUCATION MINISTER LIKELY TO RESIGN. LONDON, May 16. (Received May 17, 7.55 p.m.) The unexpected defeat of the Government caused excitement in the lobbies and political clubs. Mr Fisher’s resignation is expected, but the resignation of the Government is unlikely, though it is possible, as the defeat has arisen from the effort to give effect to the report of the Geddes Committee. During the debate on the second reading of the Teachers’ Superannuation Bill the National Union of Teachers, which has considerable voting power in the House of Commons, proved unexpectedly active. There was so much lobbying that the Government, scenting danger, issued a threeline whip for the debate, which ordinarily would not attract fifty members. The Bill proposed that teachers should contribute 5 per cent, of their salaries towards pension, thus saving £2.300,000 annually. Mr Fisher argued the necessity for economy. He showed that salaries for teachers had increased 150 per cent, in five years, and the pension had been trebled. Several Labour members and other opponents then claimed that a bargain had been made with the teachers, and any reduction was a breach of the honour of the of Common#, which had agreed to the bargain. Mr Fisher and Mr Chamberlain denied that any bargain was made when teachers’ salaries were fixed by the Rumham Committee. The excitement increased when Lord Robert Cecil moved the adjournment. Mr Chamberlain refused to accept the motion.

It is now evident that the opposition to the Government’s proposal is gathering strength, and the “Diehards.” Coalition Liberals, and a number of Conservatives will be allied with the Labour members on the question of the adjournment. There was a sensation when Sir W. Joyn-son-Hicks and Major EL Gray (Conservatives) the toilers, returned from the lobby and took up a position on the right of the < table, with the Government Whips on their left. There rose a mighty cheer from the Opposition and loud shouts of “Resign.” When Sir W. Joynson-Hicks read the figures, showing that the Government was in a minority of three. Mr Chamberlain, who was greeted with cries of “Get out your election addresses,’’ immediately moved the adjournment of the House. The Cabinet will hold a meeting to-mor-row to decide what action the Government will take. The general impreaion ia that the Government blundered in allowing the division to be taken two hours before the time mentioned in their three line whip. It is also considered that Mr Fisher is unpopular with the Conservatives and is an unconvincing debater. Nevertheless there are shrewd politicians who think Mr Chamberlain purposely naked defeat, as he can now fairly claim that the Government is doing its best to economise but the combination of an opposition obedient to the pressure of teachers’ votes thwarted its efforts. Moreover, Mr Lloyd George may take the double event—the defeat in the House of Commons and the setback at Genoa owing to America’s refusal to attend at The Hague—as the occasion for his retirement and search of the rest he badly needs. DISTURBANCES BY UNEMPLOYED INTIMIDATION OF WORKERS. POLICE BATON CHARGES. LONDON, May 15. During the past few weeks bodies of unemployed have visited various factories in Sheffield intimidating the workers, many of whom have been terrorised into leaving their employment. Many works are now guarded by the police. A crowd of 3000 attacked Dessop’s works, overpowered the guard and wrecked the offices. A small body of mounted police was driven back by volleys of stones. Finally a police squad and forty mounted men charged with batons, scattering the crowd. THE ARMSTRONG CASE. APPEAL COURTS DECISION. LONDON, May 16. ( Received May 17, 9.30 p.m.) The Lord Chief Justice, in outlining the Appeal Court’s reasons for dismissing Armstrong’s appeal, said the evidence was amply sufficient to justify the jury’s verdict without anything relating to Martin being considered. NAVAL DEFENCE. DOMINIONS’ SHARE OF THE BURDEN. LONDON. May 15. Th cabled announcement of the New Zealand Defence Minister’s attitude on Lord Lee s speech, raises the question of initiative. Ths Admiralty, hitherto respectful to Dominion susceptibilities, hesitated to make the first move, hoping the Dominions would take the initiative. It is now considered likely that following the New Zealand hint, a memorandum will be drawn up setting out requirements following the Washington Conference. This, naturally, will be most confidential, and will doubtless receive the Premier’s attention after his return. NAVAL MEAT CONTRACTS. A QUEENSLAND TENDER ACCEPTED. LONDON, May 16. (Received May 17, 9.30 p.m.) Mr Jowett states that a Queensland meatworks firm has securd a contract to supply the Admiralty with 700,000 pounds weight of tinned meat in October and December. SALE OF LITERARY TREASURES. BARONESS BURDETT-COUTTS’S

LONDON. May 16. 'Received May 17, 9.30 p.m.) At the sale of Baroness Burdett-Coutts’g library the famous First Folio of Shakespeare, originally bought by the Baroness for £716, fetched £BOOO. Another first folio, bought 150 years ago for four guinea?, fetched £5,400. Dr. Rosenbach, an American dealer, purchased both. CAPTAIN PEEL REMOVED FROM THE ARMY. LONDON, Mav 16 (Received May 17, 9.30 p.m.) Gazette announces that Captain Owen Feel, M.C., of the Fifth Dragoon Guards, who was concerned in the betting fraud case, I has been removed from the army owing to his civil conviction.

OBSERVATIONS OF MARS. BRITISH ASTRONOMERS’ PREPARATIONS. LONDON, May 16. Hie Daily Mail states that astromomers are preparing to study the planet Mars i which is travelling towards the earth at a speed of a million miles daily. It will be i nearest on June 18 when it will be 424 million miles away. Observations are taki ing place in North America, Australia and 1 New Zealand. A BANKRUPT BARON. LONDON, May 16. (Received May 17, 10.30 p.m.) The Gasette records a receiving order in bankruptcy proceedings against Baron Headly, who was converted to Mahomedanism in 1913.