9 APRIL 1925
On the Report stage of the Agricultural Returns Bill in the House of Commons, Sir A. Sinclair moved an amendment to Clause 1, having in view a stock-taking of agricultural resources. Mr. Lloyd George, while agreeing that the amendment might be unacceptable as worded, asked the Government to consider an alteration of the clause. The Minister of Agriculture doubted whether provision could be made in the Bill for a general survey, but fell in with a suggestion of Mr. Lloyd George that “sample counties” might be selected for the purpose. He was in full sympathy with the object in view. Sir A. Sinclair withdrew his amendment. The Bill passed Report, and was read a third time.
The Prime Minister stated in the House of Commons that the Chancellor of the Exchequer would open his Budget on April 28, after the Easter holidays.
Mr Havenga, South African Minister of Finance, introducing the Budget in the House of Assembly, announced a revised rebate of £500,000 in the case of Great Britain and £50,000 in the case of the Dominions compared with the present £860,000 and £90,000, as preferential tariff adjustment. Penny postage is restored. For the first time in history the Budget was introduced in Afrikaans.
Details are given by the Colonial Office of an agreement which has been entered into between the Secretary of State for the Colonies and the Government of the Commonwealth of Australia for the purposes of development and settlement in Australia. The agreement aims at the settlement in Australia within the next ten years of 450,000 assisted migrants from the United Kingdom.
Rumours were current, after what was virtually a defeat in the Senate, that the resignation of the French Government was imminent. At a meeting of the Cabinet, however, it was decided not to resign.