HOME AFFAIRS.

Press, Volume LX, Issue 18228, 12 November 1924, Page 9

HOME AFFAIRS.

LORD MAYOR'S BANQUET.

ministerial addresses.

MR BALDWIN'S STATEMENT OF

POLICY.

(bedttb's telbgbams.)

(Receiived November 11th, t .35 p.m.)

LONDON, November 10

The Guildhall presented the customary brilliant scenes in connexion with tho Lord Mayor's reception. The successive arrivals of Foreign Ambassadors and British Cabinet Ministers were greeted with hand-clapping, but a warm vocal reception, which is unusual at these gatherings, was accorded to Mr Churchill.

The Air Ministry's contribution to the Government's Empire pc/licy was outlined by Sir Samuel Hoare. He said its aim wa3 to reduce the journey to Bombay by ten days and to Australia Iby twenty days. He declared that tTiese were not fantastic dreams. The foundations already had been laid. The Government intended to demonstrate that in a few years it would be possible to have as dependable an airship service between London and Bombay, taking a hundred hours for the trip, as the present London-Paris aeroplane senvioe. Mr Austen Chamberlain, toasting the Foreign Ambassadors, declared he spoke not only in the name of Great Britain but of the Overseas Dominions. He referred lo tjio importance of preserving the unity of the Empire, whose intercourse should be intimate and constant to enable them to speak to the world with a single voice. He paid a tribute to the League of Nations, alluded to the Empire's peaceful aims and desire for more intimate friendship with its wartime allies. Mr Chamberlain welcomed tho co-operation of the United States, and said he hoped that that co-operation would not be withheld in the difficulties now confronting the nations.

Mr Baldwin was accorded an ovation on rising. He humorously likened Mr Churchill. and Mr Austen Chamberlain to London's traditional giants, Gog and Magog. One would guard the people's pockets, while the other would guard the policy abroad. Mr Baldwin deolared that the main aim of the Government's policy would be stability and continuity. It intended to cultivate -good relations with all Foreign countries on the basis of the peace treaties. He emphasised this waa in nowise a policy of stagnation, as Bhown by the action of the last Unionist Administration which led directly to t?»e Dawes report and London Conference, which, under the able direction of Mr Ramsay Mac Donald, had proved so successful. He expressed gratitude for America's leading part in the negotiations which culminated in the London Protocol, and paid a tribute to the statesmanlike altitude of M. Herriot, Premier of France, without which such excellent results would have been impossible. He trusted that Germany's admission to the League of Nations would not long be delayed. As regards Russia and Egypt, Mr Baldwin said at present he considered it premature to make any announcement. Anglo-Italian relations were satisfactory. .He had no doubt that with steadfastness and insight a way could be found to preserve the welfare of the peoples of India and assist their peaceful progress along the path of economic constitutional development, for which object he invited the cooperation of all Indians who believe the destinies of Great Britain and India are indiesolubly hound together.

CABINET APPOINTMENTS.

(MUTER'S TBLIOUAMS.)

(Received November 11th, 7.35 p.m.)

LONDON, November 10. The following additional appointments are announced: — Viscount Cecil —Chancellor of the Duchy of Lancaster.

Viscount Peel—Commissioner of Works. These appointments complete the Cabinet proper.

THE LIBERAL PARTY. GATHERING OF STALWARTS

PLANS FOR THE FUTURE.

(fit CABLE —PBESS ASSOCIATION—COPTBIOHT) (beuteh'b telegrams.)

LONDON, November 10,

Op the eve of his departure for Egypt Mr H. H. Asquith, supported by Liberal stalwarts, addressed Liberal members of the House of Commons at the Reform Club on tlfe future of tSEe parts'. He expressed incredulity at the assertion that Liberalism was permanently obliterated in Britain as a political factor, and referred to absurd caprices of our irrational electoral system," which resulted in the return of forty instead of 100 Liberals. He recalled as a precedent the even worse plight of the paxty in 1895, and its subsequent recovery, and specified the great reforms it introduced in the year preceding the war. He declared that the advent of the Labour Party as a competitor in the political field made the function of the Liberal Party more necessary than ever. The suggestion that the Liberals must be absorbed either by Labour or by the Conservatives was unsound in reason and perverse in policy. As regards the future, lio advocated political propaganda and spadework outside' th<j Hcnae of Corny mons. A small expert committee should be appointed to overhaul the organisation frcm top to bottom, and an

(Continued at foot of next column.)

effort made before next election'to contest every constituency. Mr Lloyd George also spoko in a cheering mcod. He emphasised the necessity for being a united party. PARLIAMENT FURTHER PROROGUED. (AT7BTBALXAK A» ».«. CABLS ASSOCIATION (Beceived November 11th, 7.55 p.m.) LONDON, November 10. A Royal Proclamation was issued to-night further proroguing Parliament to December 2nd.