BRITISH ELECTION

Gisborne Times, Volume LXI, Issue 9853, 4 November 1924, Page 5

BRITISH ELECTION

PRUDENT DECISION

A SUGGESTIVE REMARK

United Press Association—Copyright. (Received Nov. 3, 8 pun.) LONDON, Nov. 2. The Times says Air McDonald’s decision to resign on Tuesday is prudent. Ministers may fairly claim a few days to meditate on the causes of their downfall, wind up urgent business, and present the best face possible for their followers’ consideration. They ale painful tasks. The last piust be as difficult as painful. No apology, however ingenious, can hide tho fact that they have, been responsible for one of the most crushing defeats in history. Mr MacDonald’s remark in the first chagrin of defeat that he did not envy the Tories their job is suggestive. 1 1 is, indeed, not a job to be envied. Possibly Mr MacDonald deemed it a job to be avoided.

JAPAN AND THE RESULT

WILL SINGAPORE GET BASE? TOKTO, Nov. 2. Tho keenest interest is manifested in tho British elections. Press comments chiefly centre round the probable revival of the Singapore scheme and the attitude of the future Government to Russia.

A GLORIOUS TRIUMPH BUT HUGE LABOR VOTE A MENACE. LONDON, Nov. 2. Lord Birkenhead, in an article in tho Weekly Despatch, says: Although tho Conservatives von a glorious triumph tho fact that the Laboritcs polled more than five million votes represents a serious menace to the future. Although Ido not believe those votes were cast for Bolshevism, they disclose a state of mind of the workers laying great responsibility upon the Conservatives, who muon regard with real sympathy and intelligence the workers legitimate grievances. If the Conservatives use then opportunities they may ensure at least a decade of stable government, recovering Britain’s old prosperity and former position in the world.

SOUTH AFRICA PLEASED CAPETOWN, Nov. 2. The press generally expresses satisfaction at the results ol the British election on the ground that it ensures a preferential tariff. General Smuts, interviewed b.v the Cape Times, said he did not doubt the change would have a favorable effect on South Africa. For one thing preferences on South African products would take effect, which would be a, great boon to the Union’s industries. He lamented, however, the eclipse of the Liberal party, whereto South Africa owed a debt of gratitude for .its services twenty years ago, but with his knowledge of English character, which he was convinced was fundamentally Liberal, that spirit would continue t>. characterise international foreign policy.

THE MERCIFUL DELIVERANCE LONDON. Nov. 2. Mr J. L. Garvin, writing in the Observer, analysing the reasons for what Cromwell after Dunbar called “tho exceeding merciful and seasonable deliverance” cny»; First. it was an anti-Soeialist fight, and has shown that the British people are not Socialist and never will he. Next came tho phalanx of combined motives. Britishers thought it high time competent and resolute attention was given to their own affairs. Upon no single aspect of domestic or Imperial interests could the nation but look with increasing disquiet and anxiety. The people hated the three-party sys tem, and abhorred the repeated elections without a firm result. The election was finally and mightly decided by the general feeling that oui com merciat foundations and the whole working of the political system were becoming more seriously endangered than during the war itself.

Mr Garvin emphasised that the first subjects for the new Government must he trade and unemployment, and affirms that tho unprecedented majority was given for ConstructiveUnionism, not for conservatism of a negative and evasive typo. He adds without a food tax and a general tariff the Government must do tin. utmost that can he done by promoting inter-Imperia! intelligence, communications, and transport in concert with the Dominions...

DISARMAMENT PROTOCOL. MAY NOT BE RATIFIED. (Received Nov. 3. 11 p.m.) LONDON. Nov. 2. The “'Daily Express’ ” Geneva correspondent states that it is considered in League of Nations circles that Mr. Baldwin’s Government will not ratify the disarmament protocol, which will become automatically void and the projected disarmament conference will not be held. The .structure of - the protocol must be rebuilt by the nextAssembly.—A. and N.Z.C.A.

THE ZINOVIEFF AFFAIR ENQUIRY BEING HELD.

WILL A WOMAN BE IN TORY MINISTRY?

(Received pun.) 2 .

The week-end was relatively quiet owing to the leaders requiring a rest after their strenuous activities. Nevertheless several Labor meetings were held North of Fngliind and in Scotland, where there were angry denunciations of the victorious Conservatives. The- King returns to London from Sandringham to-day in expectation of Mr MacDonald’s resignation Tuesday, but it is possible the absence of a definite report regarding the Zinovieff affair may delay the resignation until Thursday or Friday, though the. Daily Herald repeats that Mr MacDonald intends to abide uy the decision and retire on Tuesday, regardless of the work of tho Committee of Inquiry, which Mr MacDonald, Lord Haldane, Lord Parmoor and Mr Henderson are conducting concerning the Zinovieff letter. The newspapers continue their speculating regarding -Mr _ Baldwin s Cabinet. The opinion is expressed that, in addition to the leaders already cabled, Sir Joynson Hicks, Su Samuel Hoave, Earl Derby, the Marquis of Salisbury, Col. Amcry, Lord Crawford, S'ir Worthington-Evans and Sir Edward Wood are likely to be included. Earl Balfour can have the Privy Seal or any other honorable office he desires. . . A largo body of feminine opinion considers that Lady As tor oi the Duchess of Afcholl should he included in the Ministry, as Misses Bondfield Was included in Mr MacDonald s.

ANGRY LABORITES

FIGITT MAY BE CARRIED INTO INDUSTRIES.

LONDON, Nov. 0. Seven thousand Glasgow Laborites took part in what was called a “victoMr Neil Mac Loan said that there had never been a filthier, dirtier or more corrupt election. . . Mr Wheatley expressed the opinion that the return of the Tories by such an overwhelming majority would'considerably hasten the end of the capitalistic system of society. The new Parliament would witness -the fiercest political fight recorded in our history. The field would now bo cleared of -the encumbering embarrassment of Id’

beral party and the people would now know exactly where they are. Mr Jowett, speaking at Bradford, feared that the confidence of the people in political action would be weakened owing to the Conservative victory and the striving for better conditions would be transferred from tho political to the industrial field.— A. and N.Z.C.A. WORK FOR EX-MINISTERS TRADE UNION POSTS

LONDON, Nov. 2. Fourteen Laboritcs, adopted as eleventh-hour candidates, forfeited deposits of £l5O sterling, each not polling one-eighth of tho votes cast. It is understood cx-Mblisters are resuming tho posts they formerly held at the trade unions, except Mr Hodges, who is studying law.

MaeDONALD’S WAR RECORD

LONDON, Oct. 20. Mr MacDonald’s opponents are drawing attention prominently to the Prune Minister’s pacifist record, particularly during the wartime, and to articles which be contributed to Labor papers, declaring that the responsibility for the outbreak of war did not rest with Germany, but with Britisli Ministers and Foreign Office officials, who deliberately engineered the war; that the Admiralty desired ti'ie war in order to test the new battle-cruisers; and that the accusations of German atrocities were groundless, and due to a disordered imagination.

The Daily. Mail republishes a scathing indictment made by the Cnief Justice (Lord Hewart). who opposed Mr 'MacDonald at Leicester in 1918,. when Air MacDonald was defeated after representing Leicester for 12 years. Lord Hewart corc’uaed: “A granted disservice no m-.«n ever did to his country in the hour of her great need. Nothing could be ihore foolish or dangerous than to take the 'view that these matters belong to the past and. are not related to the future."•