BRITISH POLITICS

Southland Times, Issue 19172, 16 February 1924, Page 5

BRITISH POLITICS

MR ASQUITH’S DECLARATION CONSIDERED BY CABINET TARIFF REFORM DISCUSSED. (By Telegraph—Press Assn.—Copyright). (Australian and N.Z. Cable Association.) LONDON. February 15. (Received February 15, 8.5 p.m. I The House of Commons devoted the •vening virtually to debating Tariff Reform on motion of Mr J. S. Milne (Conservative I, advocating the appointment of an expert committee to inquire into the mosf effective method of dealing with the problem of safeguarding the industries. After characteristic arguments for and against Imperial Preference, the motion was rejected by 290 votes to 103 and the House adjourned. That Mr Asquith’s firm declaration with regard to Poplar, which is the main topic in the lobby, has perturbed Ministerial quarters is shown by the fact that a Cabinet meeting was held late this evening at which it is understood the matter was disfussed. THE GOVERNMENTS POLICY. PROPOSED INTERNATIONAL • CONFERENCE. (Reuter’s Telegrams). LONDON, February 14. In the House of Commons Mr A. Pons©nby (Under-Secretary for Foreign Affairs) said the question of the Government proposing an international conference to discuss and internationally regulate the production and distribution of essential raw material would follow on the settlement of other subjects now being or about to oe negotiated. In a speech at Burnley, where he is contesting the by-election, Hon Arthur Henderson, instancing the Government's determination to speed up operations under the Trade Facilities Act and the scheme of export credits, said the Government had increased the amount guaranteed for trade facilites by £5,000,000. The Government had confirmed the late Government’s derision to grant a loan for Kenya (Uganda) railway construction, half of which would dc expended in Britain, while the Colonial Office was examining other large scheme© iur Empire development. GERMAN COMMENT. A MIXED RECEPTION. BERLIN, February 14. The Socialist and Democratic papers commenting on Mr Ramsay MacDonald’s speech underline the hope he expressed for peace and goodwill and see a great step forward in the effect the Labour Government has produced both in Britain and France. The rest of the Press finds the British policy unchanged and express disappointment. The Germania writes: “The helmsman is changed but the course remains the same.” The German Gazette declares that Mr MacDonald “carefully avoided anything likely to hurt French feelings. The socalled ‘new policy of England’ seems to offer a very dangerous prospect for Germany.” THE PRIME MINISTER. THE STRAIN OF OFFICE. LONDON, February 15. (Received February 15, 9JO p.m.) Mr Ramsay MacDonald is feeling the strain of the dual office of Prime Minister and Minister of Foreign Affairs and his aealth is causing anxiety. LIBERALS RESTRAINING INFLUENCE. THE PEERS AND THE RED FLAG. LONDON, February 14. Lord Denman was entertained at luncheon by the National Liberal Club. He said that last session some Labourites sang the “Red Flag” in both the House of Commons and the lobbies. Such a thing had not happened in the House of Lords, but under a Labour Government he hoped they might one day hear Lord Haldane strike up the “Red Flag” from the Woolsack, with Lords Chelmsford, Parmoor and others joining lustily in the chorus. It would add considerably to the liveliness of the Lords and endear those peers to their supporters on the Clyde-side and in other strongholds. The existing confidence of the country, which Mr MacDonald claimed was lue to the inception of the Labour Government. was really due to the existence of a •solid bloc of Liberal votes to keep Labour from carrying out the most extreme measures to which it was pledged.