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28 MARCH 1925

At a formal sitting of the House of Lords the Consolidated Fund (No. 1) Bill was passed through all its stages, and received the Royal Assent, along with the British Sugar Subsidy, Trade Facilities, and other Acts.

The second reading of Mr Stephen Walsh’s Coal Mines (Minimum Wage) Bill was defeated in the House of Commons by 203 to 143.

Mr Ramsay MacDonald, speaking in London, referred to the condition of British industry, and said that all our trouble today arose from the economic ignorance of those who made the Treaty of Versailles.

At a joint conference of masters and men in the shipbuilding trade the situation was reviewed with reference to the recent orders placed in Germany, and to foreign competition generally. The employers made suggestions for a joint investigation into costs inside and outside the industry.

After a conference lasting fifteen hours, the dispute in the London printing and bookbinding trade was settled.

Lord Rawlinson, Commander-in-Chief in India, is dead.

Signor Mussolini, in a brief reference to the Protocol, said that he had always considered it not as a means of bringing peace, but as a well-thought-out machine for bringing about war.

Our Ottawa correspondent, in a review of Canadian affairs, refers to the Petersen shipping project, Church Union, and the liquor question.

The text of the Treaty of Alliance between Great Britain and Iraq has been issued. No contributions are to be made by Britain towards the cost of the Iraq army, and similarly the Iraq Government will not contribute to the cost of the Imperial garrison.

27 MARCH 1925

On the motion of Lord Desborough, Lord Carson’s Moneylenders Bill was in the House of Lords referred to a joint committee of both Houses. The Legitimacy Bill passed the committee stage with drafting amendments, and Lord Balfour of Burleigh introduced the Circuit Courts and Criminal Procedure (Scotland) Bill, which was read a first time.

A general discussion with regard to unemployment took place in the House of Commons, speakers of all parties dwelling on the grave industrial outlook.

Mr Baldwin, speaking in London, suggested that, in order to gain fuller knowledge of Imperial problems, a parliamentary delegation should visit Australia next year.

The Scottish Grand Committee considering the Church of Scotland (Property and Endowments) Bill discussed the clauses dealing with the transfer of right in parish churches and manses, sitting accommodation in parish churches, rights in glebes, the transfer of parish churchyards, and they were added to the Bill. The general clause that the requirements of the parish be a first charge on endowments was under discussion when the committee adjourned.

The Inter-Departmental Committee on proposed disciplinary amendments of the Army and Air Force Acts, in their report, state that they cannot recommend that the death penalty should be abandoned as the extreme penalty for the most serious military offences on active service.

The Marquis Curzon was buried in the family vault in East Kedleston Church, Derbyshire.

A Strasbourg telegram reports a mining accident, in which it is feared 50 men have been killed.

26 MARCH 1925

Debate took place in the House of Lords on the question of the reform of that chamber.

In the House of Lords a series of Bills dealing with the consolidation of the law of property passed through Committee. The Trade Facilities Bill and Sugar Subsidy Bill made similar progress.

The House of Commons again discussed the Rent and Mortgage Interest (Restrictions Continuation) Bill, and defeated Mr Wheatley’s amendment for rejection. Captain Garro-Jones’s motion on excessive coal prices was defeated. The Secretary for Mines said the Government would not hesitate to take strong action if they had reason at any time to believe that the merchants were exceeding the limits of reasonable profit.

During the consideration of the Summer Time Bill by a Committee of the House of Commons an attempt was made to exclude Scotland from the provisions.

A Bill to make compulsory the employment of disabled ex-service men has been introduced in the House of Commons.

The funeral service for the Marquis Curzon in Westminster Abbey was attended by representatives of all classes of the community.

A Paris telegram states that Mr Austen Chamberlain’s speech on the question of European security has created a somewhat disappointing impression in France. It is, unfortunately, the case, says the correspondent, that France does not trust Germany’s word.

An Ottawa message gives further particulars of the Canadian Budget statement. Mr Robb, the Acting Finance Minister, stated that the outlook was bright, especially in view of the recovery in the situation of the agricultural industry through the increased prices for products.

25 MARCH 1925

On the second reading of the Consolidated Fund Bill, Mr Austen Chamberlain addressed the House of Commons on the question of European security.

The Royal Yacht Victoria and Albert, with King George and Queen Mary on board, sailed from Leghorn.

The Prince of Wales, speaking as the guest of the South African Luncheon Club in London, said that he hoped during his visit to South Africa to gain a first-hand knowledge of their problems and to see for himself how they were being faced by the two virile peoples who formed that Great Union.

The Prince of Wales made a tour of inspection at Wembley, and expressed the hope that this year’s Exhibition would have great success.

Nominations took place in the Northern Ireland General Election. There were twelve unopposed returns. Polling takes place on 3 April.

24 MARCH 1925

A new crisis has arisen in Egypt owing to the dissolution of parliament, which had been opened only a few hours earlier by King Fuad. The Ziwar Pasha cabinet resigned following the election of Zaghlul Pasha to the presidency of the chamber, but the King declined to accept their resignation.

The King, in a message to Marchioness Curzon, says that the nation will join with him in mourning the loss of a foremost statesman, and will ever gratefully remember the brilliant and manifold services Lord Curzon rendered during his long and active career under three Sovereigns.

Tributes to the late Marquis Curzon were paid in both Houses of Parliament, the House of Lords, of which he was leader, adjourning as a mark of respect.

The Singapore Naval Base scheme was discussed in the House of Commons during the report stage of Navy Estimates. Disapproving of the project, Mr Ramsay MacDonald moved the reduction of the estimate under review. His proposal was rejected by 280 to 129.

Crops have been damaged by the floods in South Africa.

In an air accident in Transcaucasia, three Soviet officials and two pilots were killed. Four days’ mourning has been proclaimed in the Caucasian Republics.

Two British officers have been killed in an aeroplane accident in Waziristan.

The British steamer Massilia went ashore at Wingate Reef, off Port Sudan. The passengers were safely taken off.

23 MARCH 1925

M. Herriot had conversations on the security problem with Lord Crewe, British Ambassador in Paris, and M. de Fleurian, French Ambassador in London.

The Cape-Natal Express fell into the river near Harishill. The accident was due to the collapse of the bridge over the river at this point. The driver and the fireman and several natives lost their lives.

In the Indian Legislative Assembly Sir Alexander Muddiman, the leader of the House, said that India owed the late Lord Curzon a great debt of gratitude for bringing to a triumphant issue his policy regarding the memorials of India’s great and varied history. Sir Frederick Whyte, President of the Assembly, associated himself with the tribute paid by Sir Alexander Muddiman.

The Government resolution approving of the contract with Sir Wm. Petersen to establish and operate a steamship service in the North Atlantic was passed by the Canadian House of Commons. It was later referred to a Special Committee of Investigation, who will report on the matter.

Another earthquake shock has been felt in the Quebec district, but no damage is reported.

The personnel of the British delegation to the Empire Press Conference to be held in Australia in the autumn is announced.

A new famine is spreading all over Soviet Russia.

The sixth anniversary of the foundation of Fascism was celebrated in Italy. Signor Mussolini made his first public appearance in Rome since his illness, and was enthusiastically acclaimed.

22 MARCH 1925

There was concern for the health of the Earl of Ypres following a serious operation.

The Cabinet was expected to announce its plan for reform of the House of Lords.