Category: 100 Years Ago

12 MARCH 1925

The Duke of Sutherland expressed some doubt in the House of Lords as to the adequacy of the rate of increase of the Air Force, in view of the fact that it would take twenty years to bring ours to the level of the French Air Force. Were the Government, he asked, relying on a world disarmament conference to make further increase unnecessary. Lord Salisbury expressed the Government’s confident hope that the 52 squadrons aimed at would be completed by the end of 1929. He admitted that, even then, France would have a considerable numerical superiority, but it was the Government’s view, having regard to all the circumstances, that our Air Defences would by that time be adequate.

In answer to questions in the House of Commons, the Prime Minister said that he was convinced there would be no advantage in calling a national convention of employers’ and workmen’s representatives until there had been a frank and thorough discussion by representatives of each of the different industries in regard to the problem as it affected them.

The House of Commons began discussion of the Rent and Mortgage Interest (Restriction Continuance) Bill, the second reading of which was moved by Mr Neville Chamberlain. A Socialist motion on Parliamentary control of foreign affairs was rejected by 255 to 133, a Unionist amendment declaring that control is adequately secured by existing procedure being talked out by Mr Maxton.

Mr Austen Chamberlain will make his declaration on the Protocol at this morning’s session of the League Council at Geneva, and M. Briand will reply for France at the afternoon session.

The Postmaster-General, replying to criticisms by Sir Robert Donald on his attitude to Imperial Wireless, said he had already taken steps to bring about the formation of an Imperial Advisory Committee, and the views of the Dominions had been invited.

11 MARCH 1925

The Prime Minister, in moving in the House of Commons that the suspension of Mr Kirkwood be terminated, said the case had been made difficult by a Standing Order left uncompleted by a revising Committee of the House 23 years ago. He suggested that a fresh Committee should get to work and frame the Order in clear terms. The motion was agreed to unanimously.

On the Committee stage of the Trade Facilities Bill in the House of Commons Mr Maxton’s amendment for the establishment of a Policy Committee, which would be responsible to the Treasury for the consideration of national requirements and the promotion of suitable schemes, was rejected by 220 to 110. Captain Arthur Hope’s motion urging legislation to enable all blackmail cases to be tried in camera was negatived without a division.

Sir James Craig announced in the Ulster Parliament that a proclamation dissolving Parliament will be issued on Saturday. The election will be held on April 3.

Public and private sessions of the Council of the League of Nations were held at Geneva. It is reported that at the private meeting the terms of the reply to be sent to Germany regarding her admission to the League were discussed.

What may prove to be the tomb of King Senofru, the first sovereign of the Fourth Dynasty of Egypt, discovered by an American Archaeological Mission under Dr Reisner at Gizeh, was opened. Dr Reisner’s opinion is that it is not the tomb of a King but a Royal retainer.

A Bombay telegram gives an outline of the findings of the Muddiman Committee, which inquired into the working of the Indian reforms. Majority and minority reports are presented.

10 MARCH 1925

The Socialists attacked in the House of Commons the administration of the Ministry of Labour, and criticised on the ground of harshness certain circulars issued by the department affecting payment of unemployment benefit. In reply, the Minister said his policy had been to discriminate as carefully as possible between the man who thoroughly deserved and had earned his insurance money and the man who had not done so. He reminded Socialist members of the main causes of present unemployment, adding that the writing was perfectly clear on the wall.

With reference to Mr Kirkwood’s suspension on Thursday, the Prime Minister read in the House of Commons a letter from Mr J. F. Hope, Chairman of Committees, giving reasons for taking the course he did, and, while regarding his action as justifiable, recognising that there was no premeditation on Mr Kirkwood’s part to interrupt the debate. Mr Ramsay MacDonald welcomed the letter. It was later said that should Mr MacDonald withdraw his resolution he (Mr Baldwin) would recommend the House that the suspension should be rescinded. Mr Hope’s letter was later accepted by the Socialist party as ground for closing the incident, and their vote of censure is to be withdrawn. The termination of Mr Kirkwood’s suspension will be moved from the Government side of the House to-day.

Speaking at Cambridge, the Earl of Oxford and Asquith, referring to the restoration of the gold standard, saw it was one thing to get it and another to keep it, but for that purpose he had the greatest confidence in the co-operative sagacity of the Treasury and the banking world.

The Council of the League of Nations decided to postpone until Thursday the discussion of the Protocol.

It is reported that the North of Ireland Government intends to dissolve Parliament. It is stated that the Ministers are desirous of securing from the country an authoritative mandate on the boundary question.

Marquis Curzon of Kedleston underwent a severe operation. It was announced last night that the patient’s strength was being well maintained.

9 MARCH 1925

Conversations between Mr Austen Chamberlain and M. Herriot in Paris on the problems relating to European security and a possible guarantee pact are reported to have been of a friendly character.

A political crisis has been averted in Ulster, the government having agreed to proceed with an amending bill to embody in the education act of last year the arrangements for religious instruction in schools desired by the Protestant Churches and the Grand Orange Lodge of Belfast.

Among the questions which will come before the League of Nations Council at Geneva are several concerning the northern port of Danzig, recreated as a free city under the League protection. The questions relate to railways, customs, telegraphs and postal facilities, and the like.

Dr Marx (Centre), Herr Braun (Socialist), and Dr Jarres (Centre parties) have been chosen as candidates for the Reich presidency. The Republicans will not put forward a candidate.

Germany’s reparation payments in February amounted to £9,268,000. Great Britain’s share amounted to £1,087,000.

Prince Lvov, who was Premier of the Russian provisional government before the advent of the Soviets, has died at Boulogne-sur-Seine.

Sir John Gilmour, Secretary for Scotland, speaking in London on the housing question, said alternative methods of construction must be borne in mind, and he was confident that if all the interests would show a spirit of reasonableness and commonsense a solution would be found.

Mr A. J. Cook, secretary of the Miners’ Federation, speaking at Worksop, said that they were going to get a living wage by reason, he hoped, and by force if necessary.

8 MARCH 1925

Hopes were high on the eve of the League of Nations meeting being held at Geneva, designed to create a lasting peace across Europe.

There was a rush for shares in companies relating to platinum following its discovery in the Transvaal.

7 MARCH 1925

The House of Commons, discussing the second reading of Mr Macquisten’s Political Levy Bill, listened to an impressive speech by the Prime Minister, who submitted an amendment expressing the view that a measure of such importance should not take the form of a private member’s Bill. The amendment was carried by 325 votes to 153.

The Rent and Mortgage Interest (Restriction Continuation) Bill was introduced by the Minister of Health in the House of Commons, and read a first time. Second readings were given to the Clydebank Burgh Extension, &c., Bill and the Renfrew Burgh Bill, and the Lords’ Amendments to the West Lothian (Bathgate District) Water Order Confirmation Bill were accepted.

Mr Austen Chamberlain, Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs, arrived in Paris. After dinner at the British Embassy, he discussed there with M. Herriot, the French Premier, the various current questions.

Mr Austen Chamberlain has been selected by the Unionist Association of Glasgow University as their candidate at the Rectorial election next October.

The Faculty of Advocates decided at a meeting yesterday to ask the Government to appoint a Royal Commission or other body to examine the possibility of reforms in the procedure of the Court of Session with a view to increasing efficiency and minimising the expense and delay of litigation.

The text has been issued of the Bill presented by Mr Neville Chamberlain to continue for a further period the Rent Restriction Acts.

Mr Kirkwood referred to his suspension from the House of Commons in a speech to his constituents in Dumbarton.

Opposition to the Government of Northern Ireland is threatened by the Churches and the Orange Order. They have combined in demanding an amendment of the Education Act, so as to secure that religious teaching and Bible reading shall be given by teachers whose opinions are acceptable to the parents.

6 MARCH 1925

In the House of Lords the Advertisements Regulation Bill was read a second time, and several Scottish provisional order measures received the Royal Assent. The Earl of Clarendon said the British Government and the Irish Free State Government had failed to reach an agreement on the question of land purchase annuities, but the Treasury hoped to have another conference at an early date.

The House of Commons heard a statement on foreign affairs by Mr Austen Chamberlain.

Interrupting with an irrelevant remark Mr Austen Chamberlain’s statement in the House of Commons on foreign affairs, Mr Kirkwood was named by the Chairman, Mr J. F. Hope. Uproar followed, and the Speaker, having been sent for, Mr Kirkwood’s suspension was voted by the House. As a protest the Socialist members left the House in a body.

Stanley Baldwin, speaking at Birmingham on the industrial situation, pleaded for a truce of God.

Clause 8, dealing with the payment of standardised stipend, was added to the Church of Scotland Bill in the Scottish Grand Committee. A Socialist amendment gave rise to a long discussion.

The Rev. Dr Norman Maclean, in an article entitled “Port After Stormy Seas,” gives his impressions of the proceedings in Committee on the Church of Scotland Bill.

An arrangement relative to the rights of Edinburgh Town Council in the City Churches under the Church of Scotland (Property and Endowments) Bill was reported at a meeting of the Council.

Negotiations in London regarding the wage claim of the engineers broke down. A complete deadlock exists, and the position is described as “very delicate.”

5 MARCH 1925

In the House of Lords, the Earl of Balfour said it was not only erroneous, but most mischievous and unfortunate, to suggest that the Singapore scheme gave any just cause for complaint by Japan.

A financial resolution relating to the Church of Scotland (Property and Endowments) Bill was discussed in Committee of the House of Commons. It was explained that the resolution was necessary to enable the Treasury to negotiate with the Church authorities for the redemption of certain sums that are at present payable out of the Consolidated Fund. Mr Barr’s amendment providing that such capital sums shall not exceed the amount, together with interest thereon, necessary for discharging in full all existing life interests, was rejected by 234 to 101, and the resolution agreed to. The Food Prices Commission came in for sharp criticism by Socialist members on a motion by Mr Lansbury calling for prompt State action to stop profiteering. The motion was rejected.

Viscount Grey, addressing the Liberal Parliamentary party, of which he was the guest at dinner at the House of Commons last night, said that the British Government made a difficulty about adhering to the Geneva Protocol, but we could not go on turning down all proposals for security and making none ourselves.

Mr Reginald McKenna, chairman of the Midland Bank, addressed the Commercial Committee of the House of Commons on the restoration of the gold standard.

Lord Rawlinson, Commander-in-Chief in India, speaking in the Legislative Assembly, evoked strong protests from Indian members by a remark that it was no simple matter to create a national army, “because India was not a nation.”

President Coolidge, in his Inaugural Address, said that the United States represented nothing but peaceful intentions toward all the earth, but it ought not to fail to maintain such military force as comported with the dignity and security of a great people.

4 MARCH 1925

Replying to the Earl of Oxford and Asquith in the House of Lords, the Marquis Curzon said that no decision would be taken on the question of the retention of British troops in Cologne without making public the whole of the facts on which that decision was based.

The Merchant Shipping (International Labour Conventions) Bill passed Committee stage in the House of Lords, and the second reading of the War Charges Validity Bill was agreed to. Lord Curzon, replying to a question with regard to the Geneva Protocol, said he hoped it would be possible for the Government very shortly – perhaps in ten days or a fortnight – to announce its decision.

The China Indemnity (Application) Bill, the object of which is to enable the China indemnity payments accruing as a result of the Boxer Rebellion to be diverted to educational and other purposes in that country, was read a second time in the House of Commons. The Trade Facilities Bill was debated in Committee.

Speaking at the Reform Club, the Earl of Oxford and Asquith said that although for Liberals their real moral authority and influence in councils of the world seemed for the time being removed from actuality and realisation, yet they would fight on.

The German Presidential election will take place on Sunday, March 29.

The Turkish Government has resigned.

The Viceroy of India (the Earl of Reading) is coming home on short leave at the invitation of the Secretary of State for India in Council.

3 MARCH 1925

The Minister of Agriculture announced in the House of Commons that the proposed Conference of representatives of agricultural interests had fallen through, and that the Government, under the circumstances, would frame, on its own responsibility, proposals for the assistance of the industry.

The financial position of the Empire Exhibition was discussed in the House of Commons on consideration of the guarantee. An assurance was given on behalf of the Government that, in the event of a loss being incurred, the State would assume no further liability. Discussion of the trade facilities proposals also took place, and the appropriate Bill was read a second time.

The Conference of Ambassadors will to-day consider in Paris the report on German armaments, together with Marshal Foch’s comments on it. The Temps and other Paris papers state that the report shows that Germany is systematically violating the Treaty of Versailles, and is taking steps for building up an army with which, at a suitable moment, to seize a chance of vengeance.

A Berlin telegram says it is generally expected that the Presidential election will be held on the last Sunday in April or the first Sunday in May.