Parliament's Week

COMMONWEALTH

(British Commonwealth of Nations)

Cabinet. Premier MacDonald became involved in a lively controversy by referring to Sir Broderick Hartwell's activities as "a disgraceful blot." "I feel hurt at being referred to as if I were a bootlegger or a smuggler," Sir Broderick complained.

The occasion for the Premier's attack was an invitation to the public by Sir Broderick to contribute capital to be used in purchasing wines and spirits and exporting them to a "rendezvous" 20 miles off the coast of the U. S. When the discussion of rum-running came up in the House of Commons, the Baronet's scheme was given considerable publicity and in some quarters sharply criticized.

Sir Broderick, it appears, has bridled under these "impudent" attacks by the Labor Ministry. "If the citizens of the United States have such methods as will enable them to get the stuff in whenever they can with impunity," he declared, "it has nothing to do with me. What I am doing is a flea bite. Why should I be referred to as a 'disgraceful blot' for trying to meet this demand by a straight trading proposition?"

The demand referred to is the American demand for spirits. The Baronet stated that the demand existed, and that many countries were already competing to supply it. House of Commons. Ben Turner (Labor) presented a bill to nationalize all lands, minerals, rivers and streams. In its support he quoted the Bible: "The earth is the Lord's and the fullness thereof," and "The profit of the earth is for all." Nevertheless, the bill was not taken seriously, was defeated 176 to 164 votes. P:The subject of a reduction of Minister for Labor Tom Shaw's salary by -L-100 (Conservative protest against Labor's inactive unemployment policy) was again brought up (TIME, June 2). The Premier made it evident that the Government would resign if it were defeated. Referring to the Opposition he said: "If they think they are going to benefit Europe and their own country, as well as have a risky chance of benefiting their own fortunes, let them defeat us tonight. I shall do my best to meet them on the platforms of the country." Ex-Premier Herbert H. Asquith then crossed the floor of the House. There was considerable excitement, for the fate of the Government hung upon the words of the Liberal leader. He quickly made it evident that the Liberal Party would support the Government; but he warned them that the question must remain open. Ironical cheers from the Conservatives greeted this reprieve for the Laborite Government. Mr. Asquith turned, as if in surprise, and concluded: "I can assure the somewhat skeptical minds of the opposition that we will take the freest advantage of a perfectly independent scrutiny of the results actually attained." Amid great excitement, division was taken and resulted in a vote of 300 to 252 votes in favor of the Government. House of Lords. After days of argument the law lords of the House of Lords* reversed a decision of the Court of Appeals and declared that the infant son of Hon. Mrs. John Hugo Russell, divorced wife of the heir of Baron Ampthill, was legitimate, could succeed to the Ampthill Barony and take his seat in the House of Lords. The divorce decree granted to the Hon. John Hugo Russell was automatically rescinded. ^

*The committee of the law lords, properly called the Appellate Tribunal of the House of Lords, is the highest court of appeal in the United Kingdom for noncriminal cases and ranks higher than the Court of Appeals of the Supreme Court of Judicature.