BRITISH PARLIAMENT

Southland Times, Issue 19170, 14 February 1924, Page 5

BRITISH PARLIAMENT

LABOUR’S PROGRAMME INTENTIONS Of’ THE GOVERNMENT INTERNAL AND INTERNATIONAL AFFAIRS. (By Telegraph—Pre.ss Assn.—Copyright.) (Australian and N.Z. Cable Association.) LONDON, February 13. (Received February 13, 7.5 p.m.) Notwithstanding the bitter cold during the early morning, members turned up betimes for the reopening of Parliament. Lady Astor, Lady Terrington and Mrs Wintringham were among the first seven who had assembled before 7 o'clock and joined in tlje queue awaiting the opening of the doors at 8 o’clock. "Good old Mac.” was the huge crowd’s Uproarious welcome as the Premier crossed Parliament Square. THE CHANGED SCENE. The floor of the House appeared topsyturvy owing to prominent members occupying seats directly opposite those wherein they had grown familiar figures. Members lost their seats in an unseemly scramble for seats, which was later the subject of a vigourous protest by the Labourites. Several under secretaries, pushed off the Treasury Bench, sat on their heels. General cheers greeted Mr MacDonald, who was dressed in a lounge suit while his long hair was untidy, contrasting with the equally long hair and carefully brushed clothes of Mr Asquith and Mr Lloyd George. THE PREMIER’S STATEMENT. The seats, in the gangways and galleries of the House of Commons were packed when Mr Ramsay MacDonald rose to move the appointment of Mr Robert Young as chairman of Ways and Means. The Premier used the motion as an opportunity of addressing the House, to which he outlined the Government’s proposals. The outstanding impression was that Mr MacDonald was in complete control of his followers, who, being now well disciplined, showed a desire to behave like little gentlemen. When a supporter interrupted him, the Premier tamed like a schoolmaster and testily motioned him to keep quiet. Mr MacDonald emphasises his points impulsively and noisily by driving his fist inki his palm wth earnestness and a determination to get things done. GOVERNMENT’S UNIQUE POSITION. The Prime Minister commenced by remarking that the present Constitution of the House put more responsibility on the individual members. Labour would surrender the reins of Government only if either of the Opposition parties successfully moved a motion of no-confidence. "Although my position is unique, I do not,” declared Mr MacDonald, "think I will be the last Prime Minister in this position.”

Referring to the action of the Minister of Health (Mr John Wheatley), firstly in sanctioning the payment of a higher scale for pauper relief in the slum district of Poplar and secondly in admitting the prophet ry of the Southwark Council in spending an additional £3OO by accepting a higher tender for printing because the Minister insisted on Trade Union printers being employed on the contract, Mr MacDonald said these actions must not be interpreted that the Government intended to encourage sheer economic extravagance. On the contrary, they were determined to pursue a policy of economy. The Prime Minister announced that the resolutions of the Imperial and Economic Conference, would be submitted to the House for decision. He hoped during the week-end to receive the report of the Imperial Wireless Committee. IMPORTANT INTERNAL QUESTIONS. Mr Ramsay MacDonald announced a saving of £9030 in Ministerial salaries, comprising £5OOO m the salary of the Secretary of Foreign .Affairs. Mr J. R. dyne’s salary had been increased to £5OOO per annum because he was leader in the Hoose of Commons, and that of Lord Haldane (Lord Chancellor) to £6OOO.

Mr MacDonald contended that the housing problem could only be solved when decent human homes at suitable rentals were provided for the masses of the working classes. The Government was expediting the organisation of supplies of material t and labour and aimed at constructing houses fur £5OO and letting them at a weekly rental, including rates, of 9s. It would be necessary to give the building trade a guarantee of continuous work for a number of years. Mr MacDonald said he hoped to early complete an agreement between the employers and employees for solving labour problems in all productive industries. Previous Governments had merely nibbled at the problem of unemployment. The two essentials were: First, work, and the second effective income coupled with insurance .schemes. Faffing work, the Government, instead of containing the present direct method of relieving unemployment, intended to concentrate on restoring trade, which was the only real remedy. Until trade revived, it was therefore proposed to speedup trade facilities and extend the period of export credits. The Prime Minister announced that the Government was also considering the whole question of the National Debt and was appointing an authoritative committee for hese purposes, "Now is the time,” declared Mr MacDonald, “to complete an honest and scientific survey of the National Debt and rhe economic position. Britain had to wait until 1924 for the recognition of Russia, the first step in a policy which was absolutely essential to the revival of Britain’s foreign trade. Mr MacDonald added that agriculture was a subject of most pressing national interest. Some claims must receive immediate attention. The present system of rating was based on unscientific principles. "We shall not touch tariffs or bounties,” he said, adding: "Agriculture needs a stimulant to fight •ts own battles. The Government proposes to -upport, with either a loan or guarantees, the agricultural community’s co-operative enterprises in buying raw materials and implements, marketing produce and anything calculated to make agriculture a paying and prosperous industry and establishing a Wages Board for the farm labourers. INTERNATIONAL PROBIEMS. Mr MacDonald announced that the Government war considering appealing for a world conference on reconstruction, and the prospects of such ensuing were promising. The Government would welcome every movement to enlist support for it. ‘1 intend.” declared Mr MacDonald, "to face the big job of settling the outstanding Anglo-Russian difficulties. I am sending to Moscow a complete statement on this matter. including a reference to the debts due to Britain. I hope to hear in a few days that Mr Rakovsky has received final instructions for the opening of negotiations. The sooner we close the past volume of Anglo-Russian transactions and open a new volume the better. I hope there will soon be more amicable entries there n. Unless here are unforeseen happenings there will be a complete agreement in the Palatinate in the course of the next few days. My first task was to create a healthier AngloFrench atmosphere. Our diplomacy must be objective, straight and absolutely frank. The Reparations remain as the first bar to a settlement. A Foreign Secretary’s success must be gauged whether or net he achieves an international agreement concerning armaments. Germany must enter the League of Nations and, I hope, also Russia. We must <ll be in the League.”

"OUR MARK IN HISTORY.” ‘T intend,” concluded Mr MacDonald, ‘to übmit to the House all questions of zaucmJ and international concern. If ex-

pelled this week, we will at least have made our mark in history.” The debate cn the motion was postponed and the House then adjourned. THE ESTIMATES. SUPPLEMENTARY GRANTS. LONDON, February 13. (Received February 14, 1 a.m.) The Supplementary Estimates for the year ending March 31 have been issued, making a total of £13,078,000, including £2,958,000 for the Ministry of Agriculture, owing to foot and mouth disease; £3,706,000 for Colonial Service, including £3,500,000 grant in aid of Kenya (Uganda) for railways, and in connection with the development of cotton-growing; £llB,OOO for British Empire Exhibition; £730,000 for unemployment relief; and £943,000 for the North of Ireland. IN THE HOUSE OF LORDS. ‘ GREATEST MISTAKE IN THE WORLD.” LORD CHELMSFORD’S ATTITUDE. LONDON. February. 13. (Received February’ 13, 11.0 p.m.) Lord Haldane, in the House of Lords, delivered the policy statement for the Labour Government. The Maijquess Curzon criticised the recognition of Russia without guarantees. It was he said the greatest mistake in the world. Lord Chelmsford, explaining his position, said that it was almost impossible for Labour to find supporters who would accept Peerages, therefore it was compelled to seek its representatives in the House of Lords among Peers detached from politics. Lord Chelmsford said that he accepted office on the distinct understanding that if unable to follow the Government’s policy, he would be allowed to resign. NEWSPAPER COMMENT. -MIGHT HAVE BEEN SAID BY A CONSERVATIVE.” CRYSTALLISING THE LABOUR POLICY. LONDON. February 13. (Received February 13, 9.0 pjn.) Newspapers of all shades of opinion are unanimous in stating that there is hardly anything in Mr Ramsay MacDonald’s speech which might not have been spoken by a Liberal or a Conservative statesman in similar circumstances. Conservative journals, however, warn their readers that the real Socialist* policy has not been disclosed. The Daily Telegraph says: ‘Mr MacDonald intends to be harmless because he must.” The Morning Post says: ‘The Conservative party passed Protection into the bottom cf its knapsack, while the Labour Party, faced with unexampled unemployment, has tied itself by inhibitions much more drastic than now shackle the Conservatives.” The Post commends Mr MacDonald's reference to France and M. Poincare and adds: “If he can only succeed in coming to an agreement with the Quai d’Orsay, he will be entitled to the credit which every patriotic Englishman will be ready to acknowledge.” The Daily Chronicle says: “Mr MacDonald's failure to make precise proposals shows that three weeks in office have been insufficient to enable him to crystallise his policy and express it in terms of a definite, constructive programme.”