POLITICS IN BRITAIN

Southland Times, Issue 21576, 14 December 1931, Page 7

POLITICS IN BRITAIN

MLIAMENT ADJOURNS THE IMPERIAL CONFERENCE ADVANCING UNITY (British Official Wireless.) Rugby, December 11. Parliament to-day adjourned till February 2 unless the Speaker, in consultation with the Government, considers an earlier meeting required in the public interest. Next week a series of Cabinet meetings will bo held to study proposals to be brought before the House next year. It is understood the Government’s fiscal policy is under discussion. Referring to the debate on the adjournment, Mr J. 11. Thomas made a statement regarding the Imperial Economic Conference at Ottawa. The failure of this conference must not be contemplated—it would be disastrous. The main contribution which the undertaking could make was help to the dominions regarding foodstuffs, while the most important fact as far as Britain was concerned was what the dominions could do regarding manufactured articles from Britain. Difficult, as these problems were he believed with a single-minded desire to advance Imperial unity success would result. A Cabinet subcommittee, with the aid of experts, was engaged hammering out details. Referring to statements made on behalf of the Government which would have been free discussion at Ottawa and in the fact that the dominions were exempted from recent legislation, Mr Thomas said these were great contributions, evidencing the anxiety of the Government to secure the success of the conference. Sacrifices could not be all on the one side. They might be called on to give up ideal and fiscal views long held. Let that be remembered and let all parties enter the conference, not in a spirit of seeing what they could get, but what they could give. FRENCH SURTAX A STRONGLY WORDED NOTE. London, December 11. '’The British Government has despatched a strongly-worded Note to France, repeating the request that France should withdraw the 15 per cent, surtax discrimination against Britain. There is considerable dissatisfaction in London because France has not replied to the earlier representations. THE WHEAT QUOTA. London, December 11. In the House of Commons the . Hon. J. H. Thomas announced the subject of the genuine quid pro quo which he would offer at the Ottawa Conference of a guaranteed quota of Empire wheat. A deputation from the National Federation of Corn Trade Associations representing the corn milling trades told Mr Thomas that though opposed to the quota on principle, his explanation had considerably alleviated their apprehensions and they were willing to co-operate in working the quota, if, as a result of the Ottawa Conference, it was instituted. MINISTRY ATTACKED “SHUFFLING BEHIND A CURTAIN.’’ London, December 11. "On the motion for the Christmas adjournment until February 2, Mr L. C. S. Amery made another sharp attack on the Ministry for dismissing the House for two months without an indication of a policy on urgent matters. The House wanted to feel the hand of a master instead of this shuffling behind the curtain. Mr George Lansbury moved that the House resume on January 4, but the amendment was negatived by 218 votes to 22.

A Labour amendment authorizing an earlier summons, on the requisition of 40 members, was negatived by 208 votes to 17,