Iron And Steel Nationalisation Battle Begun

Wanganui Chronicle, 28 October 1948, Page 5

Iron And Steel Nationalisation Battle Begun

(N.Z.P.A.—Reuter—Copyright) LONDON, Oct. 26—Opposition leaders immediately after the King’s Speech met in the House of Commons and decided to precipitate at once a clash over steel nationalisation by putting down an amendment regretting its inclusion in the King’s Speech. The amendments’s general terms will be that in a period of grave difficulties it deplored that the Government was spending time on a further nationalisation measure, especially as previous nationalisation attempts haa proved “either failures or certainly had not yet proved themselves a suctess.”

The motion, when the actual terms are settled, will be moved on Novem her 2, and voted upon on November 3, when the debate on the address will end.

Mr. Anthony Eden stated that it was deplorable that during the present international situation Parliament should spend time debating controversial issues. It was his view that the problem of Berlin should now he discussed by the Assembly of the United Nations. The next few months might well be a testing time. Mr. Eden condemned the Government’s plan to nationalise iron and steel. “I take this occasion to make it clear that should we be victorious at the polls we shall consider ourselves free to repeal this legislation,” he said.

Mr. Attlee said he would introduce a motion to set up a tribunal to Inquire into certain allegations which had been made against Board of Trade officials. Mr. Attlee said that trade with the Commonwealth was very fully discussed at the Dominion Prime Ministers’ conference. “I don’t think there was any serious controversy.” Answering Mr. Churchill, Mr. Attlee said, that no decision had been taken at the conference regarding legislation affecting the King’s ANSWER TO COMMUNISM Mr. Attlee said that a positive answer to Communism was the restoration of the standard of life, fie added that the Government over defence was endeavouring to secure a balance between defence needs and the manpower needed for Britain’s industrial recovery. “In the event of war we do not intend to adopt a passive attitude.”

‘The Iron and Steel Bill, which will be read a first time tomorrow, provides for iron and steel in the right quantities and qualities, which is basic to planning the economy of this country,” said Mr. Attlee. Mr. Churchill interjected: “It is a wrong thing to do and the wrong time to do it.”