BRITISH POLITICS.

Hokitika Guardian, 16 November 1923, Page 2

BRITISH POLITICS.

AUSTIt ALI AN AND N.Z. CABLE ASSOCIATION. LORD BIBKF.XII HAD BARBED. LONDON, November 15. The Labour “Daily Herald’’ says: Mr Austen Chamberlain refused to join the Cabinet unless Lord Birkenhead was included. A majority of members of tho Cabinet refused consent to serve as colleagues of Lord Birkenhead.

The “Morning I’ost’’ says that it understands Lord Birkenhead’s overtures to the Government have not been accepted, and lie will not he a platform protagonist, though in Mr Chamberlain's days there was no moil'd doughty champion. It is generally believed that lie wanted certain definite promises regarding what will happen in the event of the C.inservatives returning to power. The Premier je fused to enter into anything that could he called it bargain. Mt Austen Chamberlain, in quixotic mood, chose to take his lortuiies with Lord Birkenhead.

The “Daily Express" (Tory) says: Intense regret will he felt hv l tiionlsts that there i- mi longer a prospect of Mr A listen Chamh'-rlaiii and land Biikenhead re-joining the Mini-try at the present juncture. The Premier undoubtedly desired to sec them in battle and they were willing to enter the Gnvrnment its Ministers without portfolio, but no invitation to join the Ministry lias reached them, and the negotiations are stated authoritatively to be at an end. There is reason to believe that a number of junior Members of the Government are willing to let bygones he bygones. TOBY PLAN OF CAMPAIGN. LONDON. November FtThe “Diiil.v Express" says: The Parliamentary Cabinet sat for two and a half limits, engaged with wholly domestic questions, and the broad principles upon which the l nionist Party will base its appeal to the country. The Premier will Live a good deal to say concerning protection of the Home markets and the extension of Imperial prel'erem-c. He wjll also deal with proposals for assistance to agriculture -i n ,l the sue'a I side of the Ministry’s programme. KKF.F. TRADE CAMPAIGN. LONDON, November 11. The executive of the National Assai iation of .Merchants and Manufacturers have unanimously resolved to initiate a strenuous free trade <ampaigu. Sir Allan Smith. Chairman of the Industrial Group of Members of the House of Oniiiiioiis. has ileci.h-.l m.t to stand at tlm General Election, as the Conservative Association mid his constiiurefuse to allow him freedom ol action regarding unemployment, and protection.