Tag: 100 Years Ago

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.

2 MARCH 1925

A Paris telegram states that according to reliable French reports M. Herriot received ten days ago a proposal by Herr Stresemann for a guarantee pact between Germany and France. The prospect of the offer is regarded sceptically by most of the French newspapers.

M. Raynaldy, French Minister of Commerce, and Herr von Trendelenburg, German delegate, who have been negotiating a commercial treaty, signed the Franco-German modus vivendi.

After an all-night sitting the French Chamber passed the Finance Bill by a majority of 89 (328 to 239.)

Imposing scenes were witnessed at the funeral of M. Branting, the Swedish statesman.

An earthquake shock was felt in New York and suburbs on Saturday evening. Similar tremors are reported from other places in the Northern United States and Canada.

In the Indian Legislative Assembly, Sir Basil Blackett made his Budget statement, in which he announced a fall in military expenditure, considerable relief to the provinces in the matter of contributions, and no further increase in taxation.

The Cabinet, it is stated, have definitely decided not to support the Trade Union (Political Fund) Bill. Mr Clynes, speaking at Ashton-under-Lyne, referring to the Bill, stated that the political arm of the Labour movement must be left free for the Parliamentary endeavour of organised Labour.

There is published to-day correspondence which has passed between Mr Churchill, Chancellor of the Exchequer, and the Earl of Balfour on the subject of the grant voted by Parliament to the Universities of Great Britain, except Oxford and Cambridge. Mr Churchill announces that the grant will be increased from £1,122,570 to £1,350,000.

1 MARCH 1925

The death of Herr Ebert, the President of the German Republic, was announced. He was 54 and had been the President since the founding of the Republic in 1919.

Z. A. H. Ekisler, a wealthy Armenian merchant, was found by his secretary seriously injured following an attack.

28 FEBRUARY 1925

The British Trade Union delegates who visited Russia in November and December last year have published their conclusions in an official report.

The Miners’ Delegate Conference decided to remit back to the districts the proposals for ending or amending the present agreement with the owners.

The Estimates for the Civil Service and Revenue Departments for the forthcoming year show a reduction of £14,216,850.

Mr Alexander Johnston, President of the Edinburgh Chamber of Commerce, said trade to-day was just hanging in the balance. It would take very little either to give it a strong upward movement or equally little to send it back again to its recent disastrous condition. An all-in national insurance scheme was explained to the members by Mr T. T. Broad.

The Association of Economic Biologists discussed warble flies, a Continental barley pest, forestry disease problems, potato culture, and seed-testing practice, at their annual meeting in Edinburgh.

At the annual dinner of the Glasgow Shipowners and Shipbrokers’ Benevolent Association, the president, Mr George Sloan, said that in the case of the North Atlantic the liner trade had been heavily hit by the action of the American Government in instituting a quota beyond which they would not allow immigration.

27 FEBRUARY 1925

The King’s health continues to improve. He had a much better day, following on restful night.

The Scottish Grand Committee to consider the Church of Scotland (Property and Endowments) Bill had a stormy first meeting on the question of the nationality of the Chairman. There were several scenes, and an adjournment was made until the question of chairmanship was settled by the Chairman’s Panel Committee. Later it was announced that the Chairman’s Panel had decided that Sir Cyril Cobb should continue as Chairman of the Committee. The Socialists will accept this decision.

Air Estimates for a net expenditure of £15,513,000 – a net increase of rather more than half a million over last year’s expenditure were discussed in the House of Commons. A completely new experiment in the field of air defence this year is the introduction of non-regular units, comprising four auxiliary Air Force squadrons – two of which will be located in Edinburgh and Glasgow – and two special reserve squadrons.

Speaking at Walsall in support of the Socialist candidate, Mr Ramsay MacDonald, referring to the Political Levy Bill, said his party would put up a fine fight. Polling takes place to-day.

Arthur Henderson repudiated the suggestion that Mr Ramsay MacDonald was to be superseded in the leadership of the Socialist party.

Proceedings at the opening of the Miners’ Conference at Blackpool were quiet. Mr Hodges explained the policy he has been advocating in the coalfields, while delegates explained the attitude of the districts to the wages agreement, and submitted suggestions for ending or amending it. An adjournment will be recommended to enable the Executive to consider the district proposals in conjunction with the attitude of the owners.

Strong criticism of the Clydebank factors was made at the resumed sitting of the Rents Commission in Glasgow.

Captain Elliot MP speaking in Glasgow on the relief of unemployment, said Local Authorities in Scotland had found that the employment of direct labour was unsatisfactory in many respects, and that the best course was to let the work out to a contractor.

An electric tramway car, becoming out of control on the North Bridge, Edinburgh, collided with a standing car with considerable force, causing injury to a number of passengers and shock to others.

The South African Legislative Assembly has adopted, by 71 votes to 47, a Labour motion urging that the King should not bestow titles upon his subjects residing in the Union or its mandated territories.

26 FEBRUARY 1925

It was announced that the King continues to make good progress with his health, and no further bulletin will be issued.

Prince Henry, who was to have represented the King at the Shire Horse Show, was unable to do so owing to a slight chill.

Replying in the House of Lords to Lord Arnold’s criticism of the Government’s safeguarding of industries policy, the First Commissioner of Works, Viscount Peel maintained that the Government had a clear mandate to deal with the question. He asked why did not the Labour party during its term of office repeal those parts of the Safeguarding of Industries Act dealing with key industries and dumping if they had the views so strongly expressed by Lord Arnold.

The Poor Law Emergency Provisions Continuance (Scotland) Bill passed second reading in the House of Commons by 261 to 101. Discussion of the Public Health (Scotland) Bill, which empowers Local Authorities to supply insulin to people suffering from diabetes, was adjourned.

Protestant League candidates in the Edinburgh Education Authority election held a rally, at which protests were made against the growing influence of the Roman Catholic Church in educational matters.

Delegates are arriving at Blackpool for the National Conference of the Miners’ Congress. Mr Hodges, the former secretary, is among the number, and will take his seat as a delegate.

25 FEBRUARY 1925

The Government were asked in the House of Commons why it had been decided not to renew the contract with Arcos (Limited) to advertise Russian materials on the backs of Government publications. Mr A. M. Samuel replied that the Government were not willing that advertisements of a firm described as the sole purchasing and selling agents of a Government which had not met its obligations towards British subjects should be admitted into official publications.

Questions were asked in the House of Commons concerning Irish prisoners detained in Peterhead Prison, on behalf of whom Mr Buchanan sought to secure an undertaking that they should be transferred to their own country.

A statement by the Rev. Dr White that Free Church opposition to the Church of Scotland Bill had been withdrawn is challenged by the well-known Free Church leader, Mr Archibald MacNeilage. Statements made by Dr White, and also by Dr Donald Maclean (of the Free Church), to representatives of The Scotsman are published.

Evidence on behalf of the house factors and the tenants was given before the Clydebank Rents Commission sitting in Glasgow, and in the course of the proceedings it was stated that rates amounting to £66,776 were outstanding.

For the Miners’ Delegate Conference, to be held at Blackpool, proposals have been sent in from all districts either to end or amend the present agreement.

Neville Chamberlain, speaking in London, said if the building operatives were willing to accept a scheme of payment by results the output of houses would be increased by at least one-third, and probably a good deal more.