IMPROVED TRADE

Wanganui Chronicle, Volume 80, Issue 256, 28 October 1937, Page 7

IMPROVED TRADE

GOVERNMENT CONFIDENT DISCUSSION IN COMMONS LABOUR AMENDMENT [ British Official Wirelees.] Received Oc.. 27, 7.25 p.m. RUGBY, Oct. 26. Replying to Mr. C. R. Attlee (Labour. in the House of Commons to-day, Sir John Simon took up the reference to the trade cycle and the danger of a slump. The improvement in the economic position of lhe country during the last live or six years, he said, had continued during the present yeat and he did not thinic that there was any possible indication that it was going to be arrested. In each quarter of the present year British overseas trade had shown all rouna expansion compared with the corresponding quarter of the previous year. Imports and domestic exports had increased, not only in value, but in volume, industrial production had continued to rise. Sir John stated that the latest index number worked out for the second quarter of this year was the highest index for industrial production yet recorded for any quarter. At the same time there had been no halt in expansion of retail trade. After considering certain less satisfactory pointers such as the temporary decrease in building plans, the speaker concluded on the view that there was no ground whatever for assuming that trade was likely to suffer an early decline. Order of Business Announcing the probable course of business in the House of Commons, Sir John Simon said that the debate on the Address would occupy the remainder of the week and would be concluded early next week. Dealing with Government Bills, Sir John mentioned lirst the Coal Mines Bill, which would be a complicated measure and with whic h the Government hoped to make substantial progress before the Christmas adjournment. Other Bills most likely to be introduced soon would be a Cinematograph Films Bill, a Sea Fisheries Bill, a Blind Persons’ Pensions Bill, a National Health Insurance Bill, an Air Raid Precautions Bill, a Bill for appointing additional Judges, a Rural Housing Bill for Scotland and an Expiring Laws Continuance Bill. These, said Sir John Simon, might be regarded as the first batch. Replying to an inquiry by Mr. C. R. Attlee regarding the King’s proposed visit to India, Sir John said: •‘His Majesty’s desire to make this very important visit is well understood, and we have no doubt that the time chosen will be one that will be found to be best.” The following amendment to the Address will be moved by Mr. Herbert Morrison on behalf of the Labour Party:—< “ —But we regret that Your Majesty’s advisers, by their weak and vacillating policy in foreign affairs, which has gravely imperilled the prospects of lasting peace and national security, have betrayed the principles of the League of Nations and seriously diminished British influence and by their lack of any constructive and fundamental preparations for the raising of the standard of living upon a just and enduring basis have forfeited the confidence of this House.” Opposition Views Mr Attlee said that the King’s speech indicated no attempt whatever at a settlement of the international situation. He criticised the Government attitude in Spain and China ano would like to see some reference to the sanctity of treaties and the neeu for establishing law and order. Thustartling thing in the speech was th* complete omission of any reference to unemployment in the distressed areas, therefore the Opposition would submit the amendment which pointed out the serious omissions and the failure to face the problems of peac*# and the establishment of sound economic conditions. Sir Archibald Sinclair said that one of the most extraordinary omissions in the speech was the absence of any mention of the League of Nations as the basis of Government policy, although this was to the forefront in the last two King’s speeches. The supporters of collective security would not fail to draw their own conclusions. He hoped the Brussels conference would result in peace, but what peace? Were the Government going to help China in her extremity or was there to be a farce like Abyssinia—another fait accompli encouraging aggression throughout the world?