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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.

13 MARCH 1925

Mr Austen Chamberlain, in a speech before the Council of the League of Nations at Geneva, gave reasons for the British Government’s inability to subscribe to the Peace Protocol in its present form. In their opinion, the object of the Protocol could be best secured by special defensive arrangements between the nations immediately concerned, arrangements which should be made in harmony with the spirit of the Covenant and under the guidance of the League itself.

In the House of Lords, the Legitimacy Bill passed second reading. The Merchant Shipping (International Labour Conventions) Bill was read a third time, and second reading was given to the Merchant Shipping (Equivalent Provisions) Bill, which gives power to make reciprocal arrangements with foreign countries in regard to wireless telegraphy on ships and other matters.

The House of Commons discussed and passed Votes for Air Force personnel and scientific equipment and research.

The Lord Advocate intimated certain concessions to the Committee considering the Scottish Church Bill. The compulsory redemption of teinds (a Scottish name for tithes) would be limited to £1 and under. In assessing teinds payable for repairing manses and churches before they were handed over, there would be a compulsory deduction of £30, those under that rental escaping. All heritors whose liability is less than one shilling would be exempt from payment and redemption of teind.

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.