WE WANT BALDWIN

Hawke's Bay Tribune, Volume XVII, 18 November 1927, Page 6

WE WANT BALDWIN

LABOUR CHORUS IN COMMONS THE CENSURE MOTION. STATE OF THE COAL INDUSTRY. London, November 16. When the House of Commons resumed after the odjournment following the verbal assault of Sir P. Cun-line-Lister, the benches were packed. Mr Baldwin was present. The Speaker called on Sir P. CunliffeLister, who rose. Instantly the Labourites began a chorus demanding Mr Baldwin. In an interval in the babel. Mr J. H. Thomas asked the Speaker if there was any precedent for the Prime Minister refusing, to reply on a vote of censure moved by the Leader of the Opposition. The Speaker: That is not a point of order. Mr Thomas: It may not be strictly so, but the matter affects the whole House. 1 do not desire to attack Sir P. Cunliffe-Lister. but the latter last year, at his own request, did not take part in the coal debates. It was stated at the time that this was due to Sir P. Qunliffe-Lister’s interests m coal mines The Speaker again called on Sir P. Cunliffe-Lister. and the babel again broke out, the Labourites shouting in chorus, “We want Baldwin I” Several times Sir P. Cunliffe-Lister tried to speak, but there was always one interjector shouting amid the disorder: “We want the organ grinder, not the monkey!” HOUSE ADJOURNED. After trying vainly to obtain order, the Speaker declared: “Under my power I adjourn the House.” The announcement was received with jeers and catcalls, the Labourites all standing in their places. Members of Cabinet were first to leave, and the Labourites hissed Mr Baldwin as he left, some of them shouting “Coward!” Ministerialists, who were then walking out. looked back, shouting heatedly. “Disgraceful!” A free fight seemed imminent until the Ministerialists shouted, “Let’s leave them to it!” after which the majority of the Ministerialists slowlv filed out. Only a number of Labourites were left, but the atmosphere of heat gave way to liveliness wher a Labourite went through the form of putting and declaring the vote of censure carried. One Ministerialist went op to a Labourite on the floor, gesticulating and raising his arms, but other members, fearing thev would come to blows, separated the couple. This provoked shouts of “Come out into the corridors!” After this the House cleared rapidly. PRESS OPINIONS

Opinions in the lobby and in the press are divided as to whether Mr Baldwin should have participated the debate on Mr MacDonald’s censure motion over the state of the coal industry.

The “Daily Telegraph” says: “It would be an intolerable burden if Jie Prime Minister was expected to take the lead in replying to a vote of censure on any department while the Minister of that department sat silent.”

The “Daily Express” says: “Mr Baldwin should have met the attack, because it was a vote of censure on the Government and the problem a pressing one.”

The “Daily Chronicle” says: “Surelv the least Mr Baldwin could have done was to rise immediately after Mr MacDonald and show the House he was alive to the tragedy of his fellow-countrymen.” The “Daily Herald’s” political correspondent declares that the Opposition, before the debate, learned that the Prime Minister had no intention of speaking. The “Morning Post,’’ on the contrary, says: “Though no arrangement was made for the Prime Minister’s intervention. Mr Baldwin was quite prepared to speak if it was rhe general desire that he should dp sc It was in pursuance of the ordinary course that Sir P. Cunliffe-Lister. as the responsible Minister, rose to reply.”’ The corespondent adds, with reference to a remark by Mr Thomas, that Sir P. Cunliffe-Lister has disposeed of all his coal-mining interests There is every reason, to believe Mr MacDonald was made aware of this fact, but presumably he had not passed on the information to Mr Thomas.—(A. and N.Z.)