BRITISH POLITICS.

Hokitika Guardian, 28 October 1922, Page 3

BRITISH POLITICS.

AUSTRALIAN AND N.Z. CABLE ASSOCIATION. BON All LAW’S MANIFESTO. LONDON, Oct. 26. Hon Bonar Law has issued a manifesto to 'his constituents. He considered it most important there should be the speediest and most complete return to normal pre-war procedure. The time had come for a change of machinery of the central Government. The work of the Cabinet Secretariat in connection with the Treasury must be continued, but the Secretariat m the present form must be ended. Instructions had already been given to transfer the machinery in connection with the League of Nations to the foreign Office. As regards any'future international conference, even where it is necessary for the Prime Mmistei to attend, the machinery of conferences would he performed by the foreign Office not the Cabinet Secretariat. The first foreign interest of the Empire and world was the re-establishment, of peace. Government in its foreign relations would pursue an even course, loyally fulfilling obligations, but resolutely determined not to extend committments and to curtail them should a reasonable occasion arise. Only b.v frank and full co-operation similarly as in war time with France and other great Allies, could we hope to solve the difficult problems with which we arc confronted. He confidently hoped under the well tried guidance of a foreign Secretary, negotiations For settlement of the Near Eastern crisis would result in a true, lasting peace. Tt would be his earnest aim to give the League of Nations, wholehearted pine tical support. The maintenance of friendship and good understanding of United States was based not on a formal alliance, but on community inherited ideals. The recent comradeship in arms must always he the principal aim of British policy. Above all we mean in all matters affecting the external policy and security of the Empire to act in close continuous conimitation with the Governments of the Dominions and India. Tn order to ensure that our policy shall keep fully in view both interests and sentiments of fellow subjects overseas and at all times have behind it the moral support of the whole British Commonwealth. Mr Bonar Law continuedlhe Government’s first task, if returned to power, would ho the ratification of the Irish Treaty. “We are prepared to take part in making good the Treaty, both in the letter and spirit, and to co-operate with the Irish Government in the new relationship within the Empire, which the Treaty created. We arc equally pledged, to safeguard the freedom of choice and security or the Parliament and Government of North Ireland. We desire to promote the quiet ..onledv development of India tindiur the constitution conferred by the Act of 1919. The chief pre-occu-pation at Home will be the state of trade and employment. Plans considered by the late Government to deni with unemployment will be re-examin-ed with a view of possible improvements and immediate action. Ibe real recovery, however, is dependent on a revival'of trade. The first essential is n reduction of expenditure and relief from taxation, which is clogging the wheels of industry. The most helpful method of reviving industry is the developing of inter-imperial trade. Therefore we propose to immediately consult the Governments oi the self governing Dominions a.nil it tnej approve, to summon at the earliest possible moment, an economic conference with a view to finding out how, by mutual co-operation, we may best develop the vast trade of which, "> m - v opinion, the resources of the Empire admit. Referring to the serious condition of agriculture in Britain, .Ur Bonar Law said the Government will immediately re-examine the problem in the Hope of making proposals to assist the agricultural community, ami overcoming their difficulties, finally lie says, he does not recommend other desirable measures, because the nation’s first need is to get on with its own work, with a minimum ol interference at,Home, or disturbance abroad. POLLING DAY. LONDON, Oet. 26 A proclamation summons a new British Parliament for November -I . blovds have affected insurances as against Labour winning a majority over all the other parties in the coming general election. The rate of five guineas per cent is being charged for the insurances. later" reports. LONDON, October 26. Mr .Toe Devlin (the Irish Nationalist member for Belfast West) will retire from Parliament at the General election. Air Leslie Wilson Ims been appointed Chief Conservative Whip. Mr Lloyd George and the Liberal members of the National Liberal Club met arid resolved in favour of opposition. to the Independent Liberals. The sitting Liberal members, as a reprisal, took similar counter action. MR BONAR LAW. (Received this dav at 9.30 n. n.; j LONDON, October 27. ! Air Bonar Law received an ovation from five thousand of his constituents at St. Andrews Hall, Glasgow. The at St. Andrews Hall, Glasgok. The Prime Afinister said when he returned from his recuperative holiday in Frame lie became convinced that the Coalition was steadily losing ground and must lie ended. The trouble was not due to intrigues, and did not arise in the Commons, but the constituencies. He had acted, at the Carlton Club as he did in tho belief that it would lie calamitous to allow tbe soul ol steady Conservative opinion to go unrepresented, owing to a party split. If there had, been single issue between Labour and anti-Labour parties lie believed it would have strengthened labour. The greatest foreign problem ahead was reparations. He did not consider it entirely hopeless of solution. He did not agree with the view that Germany could not pay anything. Britain entirely agreed with France that the only point of difference was Ihe method of obtaining payment. Britain and France, in the interests of Europe must remain together. Europe mpst found her hopes in the League of Nations. His object would be to make the League more effective. He trusted that United States would, soon become associated therewith, increasing the League's value.