ADVERSE MOTION

Southland Times, Issue 21835, 12 October 1932, Page 7

ADVERSE MOTION

CANADIAN PARLIAMENT AMENDMENT TO AD-DRESS-IN-REPLY TARIFF CRITICIZED (United Press Assn.—Telegraph Copyright.) (Rec. 5.5 p.m.) Ottawa, October 10. The Liberal leader, Mr Mackenzie King brought his attack on the Government to a climax in the House of Commons on Monday by moving an amendment to the address-in-reply speech from the throne which reads:— “Whilst reserving any expression of view upon the merits of the agreements concluded at the recent Imperial Economic Conference, the House is of the opinion that the tariff policies of the present administration have seriously injured the trade of Canada and have intensified the economic depression; and that the Government has wholly failed to afford a remedy for unemployment and agricultural distress as pledged by the Prime Minister. The House regrets that except for the dole the Government has no policy in respect of the relief of unemployment, and also deplores the Government’s obvious endeavour by postponing a revision of the Bank Act to avoid immediate consideration by Parliament of the all important subjects of banking, credit and currency.” Referring to the Imperial Economic Conference the Liberal leader said the method of negotiation was unfortunate. “It was one of bargaining, and I believe the bargaining business as a matter of Imperial policy is all wrong, - ’ he said. “The nations of the Empire are one in kinship, race, sentiment, tradition and allegiance to a common Crown, and methods other than those of bargaining should be adopted where representatives of Empire nations meet to discuss common problems. Conservative members claim that Mr Bennett’s position forced Great Britain to change her fiscal policy. If that is so, then the Empire is threatened with disruption.” This meant that one part of the Empire could dictate a fiscal policy to any other part, for if Canada took that position towards others, other Empire nations must be conceded the right to take the same stand towards Canada.

Replying to the Liberal Leader the Prime Minister, Mr R. B. Bennett, criticized Mr King for attempting to “depreciate the effects of the Government’s action at the Imperial Economic Conference,” and said the Liberal Leader could not disguise his spleen that a successful conference had been held in the country. The discussion on the trade pacts negotiated at the conference would be comprehensive. Mr Bennett promised to table them on Wednesday, and if the Opposition desired the discussion would be delayed for a day or - two to provide time for study and meditation. Nothing that Mr King had said showed the Government impotent to deal with unemployment and falling trade. Mr Bennett declared that it was sheer partisanship to say Canada alone was affected. “Psychological influences must be set to work if the depression is to lift,” he said. He declared that the Government in season and out of season had done everything to restore confidence, and he would tell the people of the gpuntry that the lot of Canadians was better than that of any other people in the world.