2 MAY 1925
The Government resisted the second reading of the Hours of Industrial Employment Bill in the House of Commons on the ground that these proposals were the wrong way to give effect to the resolution of the Washington Convention in favour of a 48-hours week, and came at a time when many of our great trades had their backs to the wall in meeting foreign competition. The Bill was rejected by 223 to 125. The Home Secretary introduced a Bill for the protection against lead poisoning of persons employed in painting buildings.
The Chancellor of the Exchequer, speaking in London, defended the Budget proposals, which, he said, were the Government’s first instalment of social reform.
Extending at luncheon by the Glasgow Liberal Club, the Earl of Oxford and Asquith said he had for some time regarded the return to the gold standard as legitimate and inevitable, and it ought to be a final step in the reinstatement of this country as the financial centre of the world. Speaking at a Liberal demonstration in the evening, Lord Oxford reviewed generally the main features of the Budget.
A statement was made at the Treasury in regard to the operation of the proposed silk duties. At a meeting of the Silk Association in London it was stated that, as the Chancellor of the Exchequer’s proposals—being intended for revenue-raising purposes—did not attempt to adjust the disadvantages under which the silk industry laboured from depreciated foreign exchanges, cheap labour, and bad working conditions, the Association was in consequence proceeding with the case which it would present under the Safeguarding of Industries Act.
Sir W. Mitchell-Thomson, M.P., the Postmaster-General, speaking at Bradford, said that it was the desire of the Chancellor of the Exchequer, and certainly his, that within the lifetime of this Parliament the penny post should be restored.
Speaking at an Anglo-French banquet in London, Mr Austen Chamberlain said the task of statesmen was to try to get to the root of the fears and jealousies which the Great War had left in its wake: to try to provide a cure. Upon the union of Britain and France in wise policy, in prudent action, he believed the future peace of the world depended. Upon their friendship let them try to found security for Europe and peace for the world, which might in time make them forget the wounds of yesterday.
Sir William Tyrrell has been appointed Permanent Under-Secretary of State at the Foreign Office, in succession to the late Sir Eyre Crowe.