THE MAKING OF THE NEW CABINET

Dominion, Volume 10, Issue 2950, 9 December 1916, Page 9

THE MAKING OF THE NEW CABINET

MR. LLOYD GEORGE HARD AT WORK A SUCCESSFUL ACHIEVEMENT WITH THE LABOUR PARTY (By Telegraph—Ptess Association—Copyright). '&• Lloy<l-&'eorge has accepted lh 0 " lVeraiership.'^Reuterl'^ CCe ™^ er " lUr Bonar Law has suggested that Mr. Asquith should receive the.'Lord Chancellorship .and an earldom it he joined ; 'the Cabinet. ' ; 'Mr. Asquith declined when the other Liberals refused to co-operate" ' •t ~l fc. is understood that Mr. Henderson is willing to join Mr. Lloyd George if the Labour Party approves. It is.believed that Mr. Lloyd George has offered Mr. Henderson a seat in the-small in„c r Cabinet, and'to three Labour members subordinate positions. ..The feeling of tho National Labour Conference is that whilo favouring Mr. Asquith's leadership, it makes it perfectly clear that it is prepared to serve any .Premier who will vigorously prosecute-the war.- • Mr. Henderson, Mr. Ramsay Mac Donald, Mr. O 1 Grady ( Mr. Snowdcn, and Mr. Thome, representing the conference, have had a lengthy interview with Mr. Lloyd George. : The "Daily News" says that Mr. ; Asquith denies chargcs of vacillation during the negotiations with Mr. Llo.vd George, as the Northcliffe newspapers alleged. Mr. Asquith will at an early opportunity correct these statements. —Ams.-N.Z. Cable Assn. ' '- ) ' ' • . ' 1 . LABOUR AND THE NEW . ORDER . PARTY WILL PARTICIPATE WITH MR; LLOYD GEORGE. (Rec. December 8, 6.50 p.m.) London, December 7. The Labour Party has discussed Mr. Lloyd George's proposals, and officially announced that it has decided to participate ill the new Government. It is understood that Mr. Arthur Henderson. and Mr. G. N. Barjies will • enter' the Cabinet. _ ■ /* * ' The Party adopted a resolution hoping that the Government would endeavour to settle" tho Irish question in view of the-fullest exercise of the nation's and Empire's forces. : Good progress is reported in the construction of the new Government, but the announcement of the names is not expected - till Friday. Messrs. Arthur Henderson, W. Brace, G. J. Wardle, G. N. Barnes and J. Hodge are tho most likely Labour, selections. Thirty members of the Liberal War Group met at tho House of Commons, and passed, .a- resolution-to the effect that of- paramount.importance was the formation of the Government without delay, and the vigorous prosecution of the .war, and pledged tlicir active support of Mr. Lloyd Georm to that end. Mr.- Asquith-will address the Liberal Party oil. and explain the circumstances connected with his resignation. The, '.'Evening Standard" states that the Labour ■leaders have consented to participate in the Government on condition that the Government imtnediately and extensively shall control the mines, shipping, and land!—Aus.N.Z.- Cable Assn. - - . MR. LLOYD GEORGE'S SINGLE PLANK . - . THE WAR AND NOTHING BUT THE WAR. (Bee. December 8, 10 p.m.) • * . London, December 8. Mr. Lloyd George spent a most busy, day with his' Cabinet construction work, and made good progress. His most important achievement was the understanding which he reached with, tho Labour Party. All sections of ■Labour wero reprecsntcd at the Conference, and the majority finally decided to take part in the new Government, Mr. Arthur Henderson being a member of tlie War Committee without portfolio, and will devote his' whole energy to the war. . • Mr. Lloyd George informed the Conference , that the single: plank, of his political platform was the vigorous prosecution •of the war to- a victorious conclusion; A serious task lay bclore thc .country, and- this could only be accomplished by utilising'to the utmost the entire energies ■of the nation. He admitted fully that Labour had already played a great part, hilt greater demands would be made upon Labour, as well as upon other classes of the community. Every prospect of success depended upon an increased output of -munitions, hence tho tremendous responsibilities thrown upon Labour. These responsibilities made it only equitable that L abour should have some say in the direction of affairs. The new Government would contain a real Labour Minister, presiding over a now Labour Department, which would take over the whole of tho Labour work of the Board of Trade. The Labour members scarchingl.v cross-examined Mr. Lloyd George, and were gratified to learn that his policy practically amounts to State control of all industries and means of transport by land and sea, in order that our man-power will bo directed into thc best channels. Every effort would be made to increaso home-grown food supplies, and tho farmers would bo provided with the most modern machinery. Food prices would be rigorously controlled.— Aiis.-N.Z; Cable Assn. ...... \ LABOUR AND CONSCRIPTION OF MEN AND WEALTH (Rec. December 9, 1.40 a.m. ) London, December 8. The Labour representatives pressed- Mr.'Lloyd George particularly regarding the conscription of labour and wealth. Tho Prime Minister intimated that, as regards the. first his policy would be in the direction of regulating the work of the.whole manhood of the country so that no class could complain that it was being unfairly treated. Regarding the conscription of wealth he foreshadowed a scheme for controlling investments and savings on the lines existing-in-the case of certain classes of American -securities. There ,-would also lie a large extension of the war profits tax. jYH profits would" 'be calculated on an average of the three years' period before the war.' All in excess of this amount would go to the State.