Tag: 100 Years Ago

5 MAY 1925

The Socialist Opposition moved the rejection of the Gold Standard Bill in the House of Commons, on the ground that the Chancellor’s “undue precipitancy” might aggravate trade depression and unemployment. Mr Churchill’s reply to the debate was reassuring. There never had been any such step taken, he said, with more careful and laborious preparation. Every precaution which forethought could suggest had been taken. The only thing that would entail a serious and immediate rise in the Bank rate would be the rejection of the Bill, which would destroy our credit in America. The Opposition amendment was rejected, and the Bill passed second reading.

The British Empire Exhibition Guarantee Bill and the Advocates’ Fund (Widows’ Pensions) Order Confirmation Bill were read a first time in the House of Lords.

The Prime Minister, speaking at the Pilgrims’ dinner in London in honour of the United States Ambassador, said he was convinced that events were moving rapidly, both here and in America, towards a better, completer, and more rational understanding of each other’s aims and ideals, and each other’s standards.

The Liberals are to take the field against the Budget proposals. Mr Lloyd George and Sir John Simon will address a public meeting this week.

Sir Samuel Chapman, M.P., speaking at the annual meeting of the Wemyss Unionist Club, Edinburgh, criticised the proposed tax on silk and imported silk.

The Conference on the control of the international trade in arms, munitions, and implements of war was opened at Geneva.

Revolutionary methods have been condemned by the Bengal Provincial Council.

4 MAY 1925

The South African Parliamentary banquet to the Prince of Wales at Capetown was the occasion of memorable scenes. His Royal Highness, who received an ovation from representatives of all parties, spoke in Afrikaans and in English, and made a notable reference to the evolution of the Dominions within the British Commonwealth of Nations. Generals Hertzog and Botha welcomed him most cordially, and the Dutch members took him aside after dinner, talked freely with him, and sang his health in Afrikaans songs.

Prince Henry paid his first visit to Glasgow, and fulfilled a number of engagements. His Royal Highness unveiled a memorial tablet at the city’s newest hospital, and afterwards received the freedom of the city, and was made a Guild Brother of the Trades House. The Prince concluded his public programme by inspecting the Glasgow Battalion of the Boys’ Brigade, when considerably over 10,000 boys were present.

The Duke of York, Mr Baldwin, and Lord Birkenhead were among the speakers at the Royal Academy banquet in Burlington House.

Mr Neville Chamberlain told a gathering of the Junior Imperial League that he had already planned out the lines on which a solution can be found in regard to the slum problem.

Mr Walter Runciman, addressing the annual Conference of the National League of Young Liberals, commended Mr Churchill for not raiding the Sinking Fund, for returning to the gold standard, and easing the burden on the small income-tax payer. But he condemned it from the industrial and commercial points of view. It contained too many highly-coloured schemes meant to make it historic.

Mr J. H. Thomas at Derby admitted that there were good points in the Budget, but, applying the tests of whether it administered taxation fairly and impartially, and whether economy had been effected in expenditure on national affairs, he predicted that it would be an absolute failure.

Mr A. J. Coos, general secretary of the Miners’ Federation of Great Britain, charged the coalowners with misleading the public on the whole situation.

3 MAY 1925

It was reported that 200,000 might have been claiming “dole money” fraudulently.

The Princess Royal, the eldest of King George’s sisters, was reported to be suffering from a sudden and severe illness.

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.

1 MAY 1925

Replying in the House of Commons to critics of his Budget, Mr Churchill referred to the high rate of unemployment and to the joint burden placed on industry by the pensions scheme and unemployment insurance. The Chancellor remarked that it was in the interests of Trade Unionists and employers to make sure that there was not growing up a general habit of learning how to qualify for unemployment insurance—an observation which raised a storm of protest from the Socialist benches. Mr Churchill said he had nothing to withdraw, and endeavoured to continue his speech, but his interruptors refused to listen to him. A division on the Prime Minister’s motion for the closure was challenged but not persisted in, and the Budget resolutions were adopted.

In the House of Commons Captain Foxcroft asked the Home Secretary whether, in view of the continued Bolshevist propaganda and the Communist outrages abroad, the Government would consider the deportation of such Russian Communists as are known plotters against Britain. Replying in the absence of his chief, the Under-Secretary for Home Affairs said the recent happenings abroad had not been overlooked, and all necessary steps had been taken to safeguard the interest of the country.

In the House of Lords the Agricultural Returns Bill and the Importation of Pedigree Animals Bill were read a second time.

The Prince of Wales was received with great cordiality on landing at Cape Town.

Captain Amundsen, in a wireless message from King’s Bay, Spitsbergen, gives further details of his preparations for the Polar flight. He refers to the Macmillan and Algarsson expeditions, and says: “We have little fear of being forestalled in the race for the Pole.”

30 APRIL 1925

In the House of Lords the Duke of York attended for the first time during this Parliament, and took the oath.

The debate on the Budget was continued by Mr Philip Snowden, Sir Robert Horne, and Sir Alfred Mond.

A resolution expressing concern at the state of the fishing industry in Great Britain, and urging Government assistance, was discussed in the House of Commons and agreed to.

Mr Austen Chamberlain, in a reply to Colonel Wedgwood in the House of Commons regarding the Bulgarian situation, said that His Majesty’s Government had not ceased to warn the Bulgarian Government against any acts of indiscriminate expression of constitutional opposition. The Bulgarian Government were fully aware of the views of His Majesty’s Government and of the unfortunate effect any such policy of reprisals would have upon public opinion in this country.

Mr Austen Chamberlain, replying to questions in the House of Commons, said that he could not state approximately the date when the evacuation of Cologne would take place. He denied that the evacuation was being postponed until the Security Pact negotiations were brought forward.

Dr Luther, the German Chancellor, addressing a meeting of business men in Berlin, expressed the hope that the Allies would no longer hesitate to remove the injustice done by not making known the reasons for the non-evacuation of the Cologne zone. The whole of European politics was suffering from the delay in this question. He added that in the interest of all European nations the German Government could co-operate in the removal of the continued international tension. The standpoint of the German Government in the security question remained unchanged.

29 APRIL 1925

In the House of Commons Mr Churchill introduced his Budget, the main features of which include a return to the gold standard, a reduction of 6d. in the Income-tax, provision for pensions for widows and orphans, earlier Old Age pensions, higher death duties, and lower Super-tax. The McKenna duties are to be restored, and there are proposals for Imperial Preference.

The report of the Committee on the Gold Standard, to which the Chancellor of the Exchequer referred in his Budget speech, has been issued.

A Washington telegram says the announcement that the gold basis is being restored in England is gladly received by Treasury officials.

The Commonwealth has issued a proclamation that Australia is returning to free export of gold concurrently with Britain. Mr Bruce, the Premier, announces that it is not intended to substitute gold for notes as internal currency.

Holland has returned to the gold standard.

In the House of Lords the Licensing (Scotland) Bill passed second reading by 33 votes to 23. Lord Salisbury, who voted for the measure, said he could not promise Government support any further, as they could not suspend the 1913 Act by a private member’s Bill.

28 APRIL 1925

While there is apprehension that the election of Field-Marshal von Hindenburg to the Presidency portends a revival of militarism and monarchism in Germany, the belief is held by the Republican parties that Hindenburg will make no disturbing changes in foreign policy. France, however, is anxious, and Mr J. W. Gerard, American Ambassador in Berlin during the war, commenting on the result of the election, describes it as a danger to world peace.

The Earl of Balfour is to join the Cabinet as Lord President of the Council, in succession to the late Lord Curzon. The Marquis of Salisbury will be the Leader of the House of Lords.

This is Budget day. At a special meeting of the Cabinet Mr Churchill, it is understood, explained his proposals to his colleagues.

Sir Alfred Mond, speaking at Chelmsford, defended his proposals for the relief of unemployed, and said he would allow nobody to get in the way of his scheme being tried if he could help it.

Mr W. Dobbie, President of the National Union of Railwaymen, predicted a labour crisis on the railways when the companies rejected the men’s demands.

The National Joint Emergency Commission had a meeting with the building employers and workers over Summer Time hours and reached a decision (not yet published) which it is hoped will end the existing difficulties.

Mr Coppock, the secretary of the National Federation of Building Trade Operatives, said in London that his Federation were prepared to give Lord Weir the opportunity to erect his houses if he paid the price for the labour he used.

27 APRIL 1925

Hindenburg has been elected German President.

Communists at Plevna, in Bulgaria, have burned down the theatre and the municipal library there.

Speaking at the funeral of the victims of the Communist outrage in Paris, M. Millerand said that Republican France, after having repulsed the enemy from outside, was not going to tolerate civil war.

Anzac Day was observed in Australia and New Zealand. A special service of commemoration was held in London.

A memorial to the men of the Royal Naval Division who fell in the Great War was unveiled on the Horse Guards’ Parade, London. An address was delivered by the Right Hon. Winston Churchill.

“I can promise those who criticise that before the end of the year we shall have made quite a satisfactory start with the reforms we mean to carry out before we leave office in some four or five years’ time,” said the Premier, addressing the annual meeting of the Bewdley Division Unionist Association at Worcester. After weathering the trade crisis the country would emerge better, stronger, and sounder.

The King and Queen received a warm welcome in the streets of London on their homecoming.

Lord Weir and Sir John Gilmour took part in the formal opening at Newton-Stewart of the first municipal housing scheme of the Weir type completed in Great Britain. Lord Weir said Newton-Stewart had shown a progressive spirit in breaking away from tradition and a departure from the past rigidity of practice which ought to be an example to other communities.

26 APRIL 1925

Stanley Baldwin, the Prime Minister, made a speech to the Worcester Unionist Association where he made reference to communist extremists wanting to destabilise the economy. He added that Winston Churchill’s budget would be interesting and he added of his concern about peace in Europe.

The King and Queen returned to London following their cruise to the Mediterranean.