“A JOY RIDE”

Wanganui Chronicle, Volume LXXXIII, Issue 19771, 19 February 1927, Page 7

“A JOY RIDE”

THE ROYAL TOUR LABOURITES’ CRITICISM STRONG LANGUAGE USED DEBATE ON VOTE FOB EXPENSES. MR. KIRKWOOD CREATES AN UPROAR. jßy Telezranh —Per Press Assn.—Copyright.] Received Feb. 18, 11 p.m. LONDON, Feb. 18. In the House of Commons, when the Hon. R. F. McNeill (Financial Secretary to the Treasury) moved a vote of £7o*oo in aid of tho Duke and Duchess of York’s mission, he expressed the hop§ that it would be accepted unanimously. Mr. D. Kirkwood, the Labour member for Dumbarton, on behalf of the workers, made an emphatic protest that the part of the Empire issuing the invitation should pay all expenses. He objected to England paying for sending Their Royal Highnesses on a joy ride. Mr. Kirkwood said that when he raised the question of the Prince of Wales’ visit to South America he was told it was for the benefit of trade and cementing the British Empire. Had trade benefited? Tho Government had just given a big meat contract to the Argentine, which formerly went to Australia. Was that cementing the Empire? A recent report suggested the reduction of -unemployment insurance payments to 600,000 workers, yet the country could afford £7OOO to send the Duke and Duchess of York to the ends of the earth. “And it doesn’t matter one iota to the welfare of the country if they never return,” he said. Amidst uproar the chairman (Captain Fitzroy) said: “I cannot allow remarks of that kind. ’ ’ Mr. Kirkwood: “I have taken the highest opinion and have been informed that I can use the language I have just used. ’ ’ Captain Fitzroy: “I am the authority here, and I cannot allow you to use discourteous language to the Royal FamUy.” Mr. Kirkwood said he desired to protest against anyone in Britain getting thousands a week when workers got under £3. He had just come from Plymouth where women had asked him to protest vigorously against this expenditure. Matters of Finance. The Duke and Duchess had plenty of their own money and they paid no income tax. “Thus when it is a question of taxation, they are placed in a special compartment beyond ordinary mortals,” he said, “but when it is a case of expenditure, the Government puts them as beggars and comes and begs the House of Commons to vote them £7OOO. When Their Highnesses got married I protested in this House because prior to the marriage the Duke received £lO,OOO a year, but after the marriage this was increased by another £15,000. Mr. R. R. Wilson (Conservative) resented the criticism of Their Highnesses, who were undertaking the duty of ambassadors of the Empire and earning the gratitude, esteem and affection of every decent-minded man and woman in Britain. Mr. Kirkwood: “That means we are not decent minded?” Dr. Watts (Conservative) testified to the beneficial results of tho Prince of Wales’ tour, and said he expected that similar results would follow the Duke’s visit. Mr. G. D. Hardie (Labour) thought it would have been better to out a delegation representing all aspects of the nation and not a mere figurehead. Sir A. Pownall thought they could not make a better investment than the money the House was asked for. Mr. J. Schurr (Labour) did not think this the time for the visit, in view of the distress in Britain, where 1,500,000 people were unemployed.