THE CHINA MAIL, NOVEMBER 9, 1988
Liberal Leader Demands Respect For Political Liberty
Premier Accuses Attlee Of Trailing His Coat
DEBATE ON LOYAL ADDRESS IN REPLY
London, To-day. After the Commons Address in reply to the King's Speech had been moved by the Conservative member for Hastings, Mr. Hely Hutchinson, and seconded by the National Labour member for South Nottingham, Mr. S. F. Markham, the Opposition leader, Mr. Attlee, criticised the speech as giving no indication of a really con- structive programme, and expressed regret in particular at the absence of any reference to the trade agreement with the U.S.A.
He also thought it characteristic of the compla- cency of the Government that there was no I mention of unemployment. The Opposition felt that the foundation of nation
al strength was the condition of the people, and a sound policy of nutrition the basis of that condition.
There was no foundation for any tablish a ministry of supply. suggestion that the Government He declared the Government were contemplating such cuts. needed to reassure the country that
On the contrary the King's Speech it intended to preserve and protect showed that they were still plan- its liberties, and, criticised the re- ning further provision for public cent uses of the Official Secrets Act health, and he thought all parties against journalists and others and would welcome the announcement Instances of unofficial censorship that the Government were going to of news filmis. submit proposals for earlier and "There is another interference more effective treatment of cancer. with our political liberties to which
NUTRITION ENQUIRIES
I wish to draw attention," contin-
Ministry of Health was engaged in
In connexion with nutrition, theued Sir Archibald Sinclair.
"It is the interference of the more far-reaching and comprehen-head of a foreign state in our do- sive enquiries into the food habitsmestic policy. I hope the Prime before in this or any other country. tunity of repudiating that interfer- of the people than were ever made Minister will take an early oppor-
One of the earliest measures in¦ence."
the new session would deal with The general debate on the ad- milk, and its main principle would dress was continued by Mr. J. Max- be to encourage consumption of ton (Independent Labour) and Mr. liquid milk in the interests both of R. Boothby (Conservative).
the farmer and of national health. The debate will be resumed to-
'Another agricultural bill would contain the Government's proposals day. It is likely that a formal La-
for assistance of the poultry indus-
try.
TRAILING A COAT
bour amendment to the Address will be moved on Thursday.
In the Lords, the Government spokesman and the Labour and Li- In conclusion, the Premier amus-beral opposition leaders expressed ed the House by accusing Mr. At- unalloyed satisfaction at the an- The Prime Minister, who spoke
tlee of trailing his coat before him nouncement of the Royal visit to The House might depend upon it in relation to the possibility of Washington.---British Wireless. next, said that In view of the re- that deficiencies existed in the de- cent debates he would not dévote fence systems of all countries an appeal to the country and say-
GRAVITY OF SITUATION time to further discussion of the although they did not hear so much ing he declined to step on it. Munich Agreement or the Anglo-about them.
The Liberal leader followed, and
Mr. Attlee (adds Reuter) regret- Italian Agreement, the adequacy of After referring to the duties while paying a new tribute to the ted that the King's Speech was which in providing-permanent set-given to the new Lord Privy Seal, Premier's sincere devotion to peace, marked by a complete absence of tlement of outstanding questions in Mr. Chamberlain,took up the sug-said the Liberals indicted, before realisation of the gravity of the si- foreign affairs Mr. Attlee had gestion of Mr. Attlee's that there history, governments, which, hav-tuation, and complained that there
was no authority to decide priority ing been given the instrument between Service Departments, and the League of Nations, had failed that there had been no strategic to use it for lack of courage and planning, and gave a flat denial of faith, foresight and skill. both those propositions.:
ENCROACHMENTS ON LIBERTY
criticised.
Mr. Chamberlain continued with a reference to the state visits of the King of Rumania and the President of the French Republic.
HISTORIC OCCASION
He said: "As for the visit of the-
King and Queen to Canada next summer, it will be a truly historical occasion because never before has any Dominion been privileged to welcome on its own-soil the reign- ing Sovereign in person.
"The visit will afford a notable illustration of the special part Their Majesties take in the life of the British Commonwealth.
"The decision of Their Majesties to take the opportunity provided by their presence in Canada to pay a short visit to the U.S.A. next year is als of outstanding importance.
· UNEMPLOYMENT
:
of
In referring to the absence of re- It was vital, to achieve national ference to unemployment from the unity on foreign policy but the ab- King's Speech, he said that in the sence of a reference in the King's Government's view it was to en-Speech to the League of Nations couragement of employment that hardly encouraged the hope that they should look in dealing with the Government's policy was one the situation..
...
1
were no indications of any con- structive proposal either political or economic for bringing peace to a distracted world.
Mr. Chamberlain, referring to civil defence, Indicated some of the plans now being considered · by Sir John Anderson, the Lord Privy Seal, including evacuation, provision of adequate shelter and accommodation in vulnerable
areas.
which would secure the firm and Hitler's attacks upon. Conserva- The proper function of the Gov-Junreserved support of the country tives like Mr. Churchill and Social- ernment in relation to trade and as a whole.
ists like Mr. Greenwood, said Sir employment was to try and create Like Mr. Attlee, Sir Archibald | Archibald Sinclair (Liberal) were conditions under which industry it- Sinclair regretted that there was resented by British men and women self could carry on with confidence no promise in the Speech to es‐for all parties. and success. To that end the policy of the Government had been consis- tently directed.
He instanced the Ottawa Agree- "It is the first time the King and Queen of England have set ment and the number of trade agree foot on the land of the great de-ments with various foreign coun- mocracy which for the past 150
tries.
de-
years has played so increasingly That policy was still being important a role in the history veloped. They had recently made a of the world and has contributed trade agreement with Eire,
4
so much in politics and eco- nomics, in commercial enterprise and in culture to the progress of the human race:
and
negotiations were still proceeding with India, Burma, Switzerland and
the U.S.A:
FALL IN PRICES.
"Their Majesties, who a few He expressed the hope that the months ago succeeded in winning fall in prices of primary commodi- for themselves a permanent place ties had been arrested, and that in the affections of the French peo- with general easing of political ple, will know that when they cross conditions they would see the reces- the frontier they will carry with sien they had had to face this year them a warm message of goodwill pass away and be succeeded by an from the people of these islands to upward trend. the great Republic in the new Turning to the suspicions: 'ex- world."
pressed by Mr. Attlee regarding -DEFENCE DEFICIENCIES the Government's attitude towards The Premier went on to depre-social services, the Prime Minister cate the tendency to interpret the drew a distinction between being frank report by Ministers of in: in the position at the same adequacies: in defence arrange as they were, of incurring enga time, ments jas, an admission that plans expenditure on armaments to for defence were an entire failure bark on vast new projects of social or would have broken down if put improvement and contemplating to the test. aylagini
cuts in exiting social servicesį
(sixth-step in the. Tam, as, demonsti
er. Rogers – Called, the Cross Kick
Ight forward,
right fone
*