WELSH LOCAL OPTION

Southland Times, Issue 19173, 18 February 1924, Page 6

WELSH LOCAL OPTION

BILL REJECTED. DEBATE IN THE HOUSE OF COMMONS. (By Telegraph—Press Assn.—Copyright.) LONDON, February 15. (Received February 17, 5.5 p.m.) Despite the championship of Mr Lloyd George and Mr Philip Snowden (Chancellor of the Exchequer) the House of Commons to-night, by a majority of 28 votes, rejected the second reading of the Welsh Local Option Bill, which proposed that local polls be taken in 1929 and later every third year, a bare majority being sufficient to close public houses in any locality and prevent clubs from selling liquor. The Liberals supported the Bill and the Conservatives opposed it, but the Labourites were hopelessly divided, particularly respecting the clauses relating to clubs. Lady Astor said that Labour’s attitude was caused through a fear of the clubs. She appealed to the Labourites not to wobble on this Bill which was democratic and progressive. s Mrs Wintringham similarly favoured the Bill. Mr Lloyd George said the country could not afford to spend £400,000,000 per year on intoxicating liquor, even if £200,000,000 resulted from taxation of the trade. Admiral Gaunt said that the supporters of the Bill were a very small band of fanatics. Lady Astor had quoted the Dominions but in Canada, Australia and New Zealand convictions for drunkenness had largely risen since the establishment of local option. Mr Philip Snowden, as a private member, urged that the people of his- locality had a right to decide the matter. The principle of the Bill had been part of the Labour Party’s programme for twenty years. Labour cries: “No!” Mr Snowden retorted: “It is evident that some members of the party are not. familiar with the programmee.”