DEBATE IN COMMONS.

Taranaki Daily News, 25 November 1922, Page 5

DEBATE IN COMMONS.

SPEECH BY THE PREMIER. IRISH PEACE FIRST. ATTITUDE TO LABOR. By Telegraph.—-Press Assn.—Copyright. Received Nov. 24, 6.30 p.m. London, Nov. 23. The House of Commons assembled after the reading of the King’s Speech. Mr. Brass, member for Clitheroe (Lancashire), and Mr. Margesson, member for Upton (West Ham), seconded the Address-in-Reply. Mr. Brass, referring to unemployment, said the only hope of improvement depended upon the establishment of real peace in Europe. It was essential to our prosperity that Central Europe should be set on its feet. The Labor Party’s amendment to the Address-in-Reply, which Mr. J. R. Clynes will move next week, “regrets that in the face of unexampled unemployment, largely as the result of four years’ mistaken policy, for which the Government, the dominant party in the late Coalition, is responsible, there is no adequate and equitable treatment for victims of that policy, including full recognition of what is entirely a national obligation, nor any indication of a change to enable European customers to buy our goods again so as to restore international trade and stabilise international exchange.” Mr. Ramsay Macdonald said our streets still witnessed unemployed processions, and thirteen hundred thousand people still required ameliorative measures. He intimated his intention to move an amendment on unemployment. He appealed to Mr. Bonar Law, apart from the issues of the debate, to do something to allay the agitation gathering up in connection with his refusal to see a deputation of unemployed. He hoped he would not take up a red tape attitude, but would deal with the matter in a simple and commonsense way. He deprecated any suggestion that Labor sympathised with Bolshevism. THREE PRESSING QUESTIONS. Mr. Bonar Law said the Government would do nothing to give any excuse for going back on the ‘lrish Treaty. Mr. Cosgrave had told him that Irish peace could be secured only by the loyal observance of the treaty by both sides. Mr. Bonar Law said he proposed to take the first Irish Bill on Monday and continue the discussion till it was completed. They would then resume the debate on the Address-in-Reply. Turning to unemployment, he thought one difference between him and the Labor Party was that the Labor Party believed there was a surplus in the hands of capitalists which would supply all the needs of the unemployed. (Labor cries of “piffle”). He must adhere to his decision not to see the leaders of the unemployment procession personally. (Cheers). If he was in a position to make a special statement about unemployment he ■ would be wrong to make it to any other body than the House of Commons. He said he would not refer to the Lausanne Conference beyond saying that the Government’s one aim wa«s peace. Up fill now he was thankful to sav there was every prospect of getting it‘by the only possible means, namely bv an agreement between the Allies. Ho could assure the House he did not intend to stay in Mesopotamia or anywhere else because of oil interests. He could assure the Labor Party that they were anxious to do all in their power to protect the Christian minorities in the Near East, but they did not intend to do it alone. THE UNIONISTS DEAD. Ms. Asquith, speaking of the new Government, said Unionism was now 'dead, and the new watchword of the old Unionist Party was now propounded by Mr. Bonar Law as tranquillity. I He thought the Premier would find that ■ tranquillity was not an easy virtue, but • a practice. Referring to Ireland, he was , happy to think she would soon be en- ' tirely responsible for the conduct of her i own affairs. He expressed the hope that 'in the treaty we would find real reunion with Ireland. He advocated widening the area of the Lausanne Conference; an invitation should be extended to as many other Powers as possible. . Mr. Newbold (Communist member for Motherwell) condemned the Govcmment’s attitude towards the unemployed. and added: “If they do not get satisfaction thev will have to deal with von as Cromwell dealt with your predeeessors.” Referring to the opening eeremonv in the House of Lords, lie ex claimed that’ if they only spent less money on a tomfool show —(loud cries of “Order!”). Mr. Newbold withdrew his remark. The rest of his speech was punctuated with interruptions. Ladv Astor said she was tired ot tne Labor Partv assuming they wore the only people'interested in progress. She was much in sympathy with them — (Labor cries of “Keep vour sympathy, we don’t want it”). Ladv Astor replied: “Keep a civil tongue in your head till I have finished.” She continued her speech amid frequent interruptiona. The evening was largely devoted to speeches of new private members. Mr. Laklatvala. the Parsee member for Battersea, declared the treaty with Ireland would be obtained only bv■ a threat of a British invasion of Ireland, and therefore there was not a free expression of views by the Irish people. PROBLEM OF NO WORK. Mr. Kirkwood (a Glasgow Laborite) said that when he saw all the pomp and splendour of the Royal procession liis blood boiled. If Mr. Bonar Law expected tranquillity he had never made a vreater mistake. There would be no tranquillity while women and children were starving. The present system was responsible for the murder of tens of thousands of people. . Other Labor members complained ot the callous indifference of the Comment in not replying to the Label speeches on unemployment. Mr Bonar Law explained that there would be a Labor amendment dealing 'with unemployment, and the Govern■ment would reply then. Mr Asquith (leader of the Liberal I Party) and five of his followers seenrled seats on the front Opposition bench. ' the remainder of which was filled Iby Labontes. At present it looks as if there will be a daily scramble for these I seats. Mr. Ramsay MacDonald (leader the Labor Party) insists that, as

Labor has been officially recognised as the Opposition, it refuses to be relegated to the seats at the end of the bench near the Speaker’s chair, which he offered to the Liberals. All parts of the House cordially cheered Mr. Lloyd George (leader of the National Liberals) on his arrival in the Chamber. London, Nov. 23. The piquant dispute between the Labor Party and the Independent Liberals continues, as the result of Labor persisting in the demand to occupy the whole front Opposition bench and all the seats above the gangway. The Asquithites decline to consent to the demands, and the Speaker refused to intervene in support of Labor. . There is also a dispute regarding accommodation in the whips’ rooms, which Labor has hitherto shared with the Independent Liberals, each having a room. Labor is now determined to oust the Asquithians, who have . the sympathetic support of the National Liberals. The front bench quarrel has gone so far that the Labor members threaten permanently to occupy the front bench, so that there will be no room for Mr. Asquith, Sir John Simon, and the other Liberal ex-Ministers and Privy Councillors who sit there. NATIONAL LIBERALS. MR. LLOYD GEORGE LEADER. Received Nov. 24, 7.35 p.m. London, Nov. 23. The Independent Liberals elected Sir John Simon sessional chairman of the party. Mr. Lloyd George addressed a private meeting of National Liberals. He was reelected leader.