BRITISH POLITICS.

Hokitika Guardian, 14 November 1923, Page 2

BRITISH POLITICS.

AUSTRALIAN AM) N.Z. CARLE ASSOCIATION. MR BALDWIN’S INTENTIONS. LONDON. Nov. 12. Though no official announcement has been made it is regarded as certain that Mr Baldwin has decided on an early dissolution. He had an audience with the King this afternoon, and lie informed His Majesty ot ins views on the political situation. I.titer lie attended a reception in to; honour at the Constitutional (Tim, where he took the opportunity of consulting his colleagues and others. !'

is probable that he had a further conference with Mr Austen Chamber'o t. It is expected that Mr Baldwin will observe the conventions and aim lU’it;.liF decision to Parliament pr.eub!.- today. The - Daily Express" m:T-r-;.i'u!x that Mr Chamberlain and Lord Pu'i-iii-head have been offered posts ot Ministers without portfolio, as a pn-oide to front rank office in a new Government if the Conservatives are relumed. LONDON. Nov. 12. The Dailv Chronicle editor! illy says .- "Ti:e Government’s haste shows how little the l niuiiisl leaders believe in their own ease, since they are al-nid to leave time fur discussion. I: 1 h" election is fixed for December, history will brand Mr Baldwin as antidemocratic, and :i> a jerry manderer, a man who did not play the game, a Premier who lowered the political tiaditions of his country. He will he deliberately trying to snatch a vote on 0 paramount question lielore his countrymen have time to consider if. FOR ELECTION CAMPAIGN. LONDON. Nov. 12 Lord Birkenhead. Sir li. Horne and Mr Austen Chamberlain had a long mlk with Mr Baldwin at 10, Downing Si reel. It is understood that all arc ready to support .Mr Baldwin, assuring him of the unity of the Conservative Party, though Sir R. Horne is not yet willing to re-enter the Cabinet, owing to business engagements. A reconst met ion ot the Government, pari passu, with an appeal to the country, is now likely. LABOR POLICY. LONDON. Nov. 12.

The Labour Party, as the officia. opposition, professes itself confident of the result, of a genera! election. Air Ramsay Macdonald was hailed by Labour supporters last, night as the future Premier.

The "Daily Herald,” in outlining the Labour policy, says: “l-neniploy-iiieut ot he cured by taxing foreign made goods and by Imperial Conferences, nor on the other hand by a reliance upon an open market. The decrease of unemployment finds its roots in the system of production for profit. The time is ripe for the nationalisation of two of the great basic industries, coal ami the railways. Labour advances this as part ol its programme. Liberal anti Tory alikt have destroyed the purchasing power of the workers, and thereby have crippled our homo markets. They have cut down wages to the tulle of one thousand million sterling a year -n a mad attempt lo reduce taxation e sis. Therefore one of Labour's watchwords is "Restore our home markets by. restoring the Workers’ wages!" Labour aFo demands the rei Finn of the Peace Treaty, fair play lor Germany, fair dealing with Russia, a foreign policy based on reconciliation. and finally a capita! levy to meet the payment of the interest oil tin national dot. A PRESS VIEW, LONDON, Nov. 12 The Morning PosC- political cones pun.lent says:- -"This Parliament is dead for all practical purposes. 11 the official end is delayed the only result will he that the Radicals and Socialists will he free to campaign ill tin' country, while the Conservative members are tied to Westminster. Arrangements at the Conservative Central Office are well forward. Already there are more candidates adopted than la-t year. Any changes in the Cabinet lielore the election are unlikely. LONDON, Nov. 12 The "Daily Telegraph says: There obviously is much to he said for getting the whole tiling over as quickly as possible. Having made ils decision, we hope flic Government will wage an effective and vigorous campaign from one end of the country to the other.

The campaign may be one of the shortest on record. It will none the less he one of the bitterest.

The Morning Post says: Mr Baldwin’s decision is that of an honest, brave man. lie might have remained in office comfortably for four years, lie prefers to take bis political life in bis bands, believing 1 licit protection will also cure the evil of unemployment . The Daily Express advocates Mr Chamberlain's policy of Imperial pro Terence. NEW TARfFFITE MOVEMENT. LONDON. Nov. 12 Mr Baldwin has appointed a Tariff Advisory Committee as follows: Lord Milner. Chairman; Lord Kvl-ant (formerly Sir Owen Phillips"', Sir S. Algernon Firth. Mr Peter R.vlands, Mr William Ashley, Professor Hewitts, Mr A. Pugh 'Secretary of the Iron and St eel Trades Federation). PARLIAMENT TO BE DISSOLVED. | "Tiik Tim us” Service. ] LONDON. Nov. 12. Parliament will he dissolved oil Thursday, and the elections will he held in the first or second week in December.