Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1924-12-10
STEER CLEAR UNSOUND
LEGISLATION AS STEP IN
SOLUTION TAX PROBLEM
PARTY HEADS TELL
BRITISH PARLIAMENT
VIEWS ON AFFAIRS

London. Dec. 0.-(By A. P.)-The
new parliament, destined for a long
legislative life. lent its ears to the
party leaders today after learning
from the kings address some of the
things the Conservative government
intends to do. Shortly after His
Majesty had tremendously opened
parliament the prime minister,
Stanley Baldwin. with two thirds of
the commons back of him, told the
house what his government aims TO
accomplish.
When the premier had done talk
ing. Ramsay Macdonald and Mr..
Lloyd George, the leaders of the La
Dor and Liberal minorities respect
lively, told the cabinet ministers and
their conservative colleagues some
of the things they thought the gov
eminent ought and ought not TODD.
So far as the house of commons
itself is concerned there Is little time
to do anything this year except to
talk, as parliament will begin its
long Christmas recess a week from
Friday and the members will re-
main away from Westminster until
February 10. One of the questions
which will be discussed in parlia-
ment very soon is the subject Of in
ternational debts.
Mr.. Lloyd George remarked to-
day that he regretted the omission
from the kings speech of any refer
ence to any effort by the government
to deal with the interailied debts.
Great Britain, he said, was the
heaviest taxed nation in the world.
He asked IL it was taking part in the
negotiations going on between
France and the United States in re-
gard to the French debt. He knew
1t was a very unpleasant matter to
ask ones friends to pay their debts.
but, he added. United States never
hesitated a moment to call upon this
country to pay"
The speech from the throne cover
ed a multitude of affairs. both do
nestle and foreign. Among the
most interesting announcements was
that the Prince of Wales would
shortly pay a visit to Argentina. The
kings reference to Egypt was de-
cidedly pointed. He declared that
the British demands. which have
been accented, were designed to
secure ItSpcCt IpOSO AheSs ~St~
which are of vital concern to my
empire"
Announcement was made in the
speech that the government could
not recommend parliamentary con-
sideration of the treaties with Rus
STA, and that the government pro-
posed to proceed with the naval base
at Singapore.
The parliamentary labor party has
decided to move an amendment to
the kings speech. "regretting the
policy that is being pursued by His
Majesty's advisors with regard to
Egypt and Russia. ..
Labor's other amendment Is on a
domestic problem. 1t regards that
His Majesty's advisors are committed
to the policy of leaving the solution
of the housing problem mainly to
private enterprise.
Great Britain's exact position with
regard to the Geneva protocol is
likely to get thorough airing soon.
Mr.. Lloyd George said he was glad
the government had decided to in
vestigate the question before taking
up it's position. He wished that the
government would consider the eff
feet on opinion in America and
whether it would facilitate the entry
of the United States into the league,
or form a new barrier.
Both the Liberal and Labor lead
ers saw in the kings speech the
possible intention of the Tories to
build up some sort of protective
tariff hedge around the British Isles.
and said so. Premier Baldwin, how
ever, Quickly took occasion to an
nounce that he would not introduce
protection nor use the safeguarding
of Industries act as a wedge to In
troduce it.