14 MARCH 1925
In view of Britain’s inability to ratify it further consideration of the Geneva Protocol was deferred by the League Council until September. On his return from Geneva Mr Chamberlain will have a further interview with M. Herriot on Monday.
A bill to make the Summer Time Act of 1922 permanent, and to extend the period of summer time from the end of March to the end of September, was submitted to the House of Commons for second reading. An amendment, by those who feared that the Bill would inflict grave injury upon agriculture, was moved, declining to proceed with a measure which was not limited to the period, May-August. The Speaker, replying to a question, said that the amendment would kill the Bill. Leaving the question to a free vote, the Government gave an undertaking to take the Bill up in the event of the second reading being carried. The amendment was rejected by 289 to 63, and the second reading agreed to.
The Navy Estimates for 1925-26 show an increase of £4,700,000 compared with those of the current year.
Mr Baldwin and the Earl of Oxford received the freedom of the city of Leeds.
Mr Churchill received a number of deputations, who urged a reduction in the duties on liquors. Mr J. S. Calder, Edinburgh, speaking on behalf of the Scottish Licensed Trade Defence Association, said Scotsmen protested against the unfair treatment of spirits compared with beer and wine.