BRITISH POLITICS.

Wairarapa Daily Times, 2 May 1925, Page 5

BRITISH POLITICS.

BUDGET DEBATE. SCENE IN THE COMMONS. I’ress Association—Electric Telegraph—Copyrigh LONDON, Friday. In the House of Commons, the gold standard decision was assailed by a broadside from the Conservative member, Sir Frederick Wise, a financial expert, who, 'after detailed criticism of what lie termed a gamble which would probably benefit nobody blit the United States, declared: “We did not want to borrow more from America, arid certainly did mot want -to.be in their hands. ” Mr Macdonald denounced the budget on .similar lines to Mr Snowden’s speech. Mr Churchill, replying to the debate, was in a fighting mood. He faced an angry scene wffien he expressed the opinion that it was in the interests of trade unions and employers to inform themselves of the danger in the workers learning how to-qualify for unemployment insurance. There were Labour cries of ‘ ‘ Shame! ” ‘ ‘ Disgraceful! ’’’ “Insulting to Workers! ” and “Withdraw!” all of whicTf continued in spite of the chairman’s appeals for. order. Mr Churcliill warmly declined to withdraw. A score of Labour members then sprang up, talking ximultoneously. The Chancellor ironically commented on tho right of free speech, anil remained on liis feet for 15 minutes, vainly trying to get a hearing. Finally he sat down, suggesting that the motion should be taken forthwith, since the Opposition was not prepared to listen to the Government’s spokesman. The Communist member Saklatvala rose to resume the debate, whereupon tlie bulk of the Ministerialists rose and walked out. v Mr Baldwin moved the closure amid back-bench Labourite cries of “Dirty! ” The Labour members challenged the division, but did not persist on account of the admonitions from. Mr Macdonald, who, with the Labour front benches, did not participate in the interruptions. The committee stage then closed, and the debate will be resumed on May 7th. —Reuter. ALARM CREATED. LONDON, Friday. • _ The Daily Express .'asserts that the Budget proposals arc creating alamo, in industries snc’h as shipbuilding and mining, which are unable to bear’the' incubus of new insurance payments. The paper urges the postponement of ,;a burden which may cause industrial ruin. During the Budget debate, Mr W. Guinness (Financial Secretary), defending the silk tax, denied that silk was anything but a luxury; it was mixed with wool and cotton merely to increase its attractiveness, and was in no wise economical to the poorer classes. He-Cited-as an example of the superiority of cotton the fact, that ladies preferred that tho feets anil tops of the stockings to which they hitched their suspenders should not be made of silk. This sally was greeted with cheers and laughter. Mr Guinness scouted the suggestion that the tax would appreciably the industry. —Aus. and N.Z. Cable Assn.