LORD HALDANE DISSATISFIED

Wanganui Chronicle, Volume LXXXIII, Issue 19504, 4 February 1926, Page 7

LORD HALDANE DISSATISFIED

TERMS OF ITALIAN SETTLEMENT LONDON, Feb. 2. The House of Lords adopted the Address-in-Reply after a few mild criticisms by Lord Haldans concerning particularly the unsatisfactory Italian debt settlement and the absence of the House of Lords reform scheme from tho Government’s programme. The Earl of Lincolnshire introduced a Bill seeking to ensuro la minimum wage for agricultural labourers. “ANOTHER ONE GONE” CONSERVATIVE RECRUIT , HECKLED ROBES AND UNIFORMS LONDON, Feb. 2. Except for tho ermine cloaks of the Peers, tho opening of Parliament was drab by comparison with previous years. The King wore a Field Marshal’s uniform and the Queen wore black velvet. There was a full attendance of tho diplomatic corps, in which Republican representatives outshone the rest in brilliant uniforms and glittering jewels. Owing to his hunting injury, the Prince of Wales was not present. After lunch Sir Alfred Mond sat on tho Ministerial side, amid uproarious and ixmidal Labour cheers and cries of “Another one gone!’’ Tho King’s reference to the coal crisis was echoed by Mr G. B. Hurst in moving the Address-in-Reply. He alluded to the need for conciliation and goodwill, and said that a new spirit had been breathed into England, largely the result of Mr Baldwin’s plea for a better spirit.

HER FAVOURITE SEAT LADY ASTOR IN THE VAN COMMONERS BOOK THEIR BILLETS LONDON, Feb. 2. Lady Astor, who is always agile and persistent, stole a march on forty-five members waiting for tickets for favourite scats. Two arrived before midnight and slept in the Library. Others camo at daybreak, but Lady Astor arrived five minutes before the doors opened. As they swung in she leapt forward and was the first to receive la ticket. She darted in and got her favourite corner scat below the gangway.

LOCARNO USELESS •••■ MR LLOYD GEORGE’S DECLARATION. DISARMAMENT CONFERENCE POSTPONED. Received Feb. 8, 11.40 p.m. LONDON, Feb. 2. Mr Lloyd George contended that Locarno was useless without disarmament, otherwise it might prove to be a spring trap, which might snap with disastrous consequences. . The Right. Hon. Stanley Baldwin announced a postponement of the preli uinary disarmament conference, whereto Britain will go with a wholehearted endeavour to carry out the undertakings contained in the Versailles covenant.

LIBERALS’ CHAIRMAN LLOYD GEORGE STILL REIGNS OPPOSITION PURELY PARLIAMENTARY TWO REFRAIN FROM VOTING LONDON, Feb. 1. Mr Lloyd George was re-elected Liberal chairman for tho 1926 session.

Several members opposed his election. Mr Wedgwood Benn explained that the opposition was purely Parliament tary, and not connected with the land policy, which had not yet reached th( House of Commons. The opponentl sought a united fighting policy in th< Commons. Many Liberals voted witl tho Government. The Party was evei disunited on Free Trade*. Ho cmphai sised that Mr Lloyd George had not declared himself on preference. Mr Lloyd George f*iid that the Liber* als wore united throughout the country and the only dissensions were among 1 few concentrated *at Westminster. H appealed for unity and the avoidancl of recriminations. Sir John Simon and Air Runcimal abstained from voting.