BRITISH ELECTIONS.

Hokitika Guardian, 11 December 1923, Page 3

BRITISH ELECTIONS.

LATEST CABLE NEWS

[Kkcteks Tki.koiiams.] POLITIC A L. (Received this day at !).25 a.m.) LONDON, Dec. 10. The '• Daily Mail " says iaijnii-t.ua developments eventuated during the week-end. Mr Nevill (Tiamberliiiii, Mr Amery ami Sir 0. Lloyd Graeme who wore most jirominont in advocating an ajijioa! In the country on the protectionist issue, conferred with Mr Baldwin, and urged him to resign and advise the King to -end for Mr II MaeU Doiitild. A rumour that Mr Baldwin agreed thereto caused consternation among other Conservative Ministers. They decided that if .Mr Baldwin adopted this course, they would dissociate themselves from it and publicly explain their reasons. They bolioovc the host course at joe-cut is a Conservative Dovernnient under a new Premier, for which position Mr Austin Chamberlain is suggested with Sir II Iforne ;ts Chancellor of the Exchequer, laird Derby or Lord Salisbury as Foreign Secretary, Lord Birkenhead, as Lord Chancellor and Karl Balfour, Privy Seal. Communications have pascal between this group and the Liberal leaders as to whether such a Ministry would receive the Liberal’s support or benevolent neutrality. ft is understood that tentative assurances were given. POLITICAL OPINIONS. (Deceived tin's day at 10.10 a.m.) LONDON, Dee. 10. Sunday nave opportunities for the political leaders to consult their friends quietly and turn over the complexities of the unprecedented situation. Sir .1. Simon conferred with Mr Lloyd George at the latter’s home while Mr Baldwin had prolonged interviews with '-Conn-native leaders at ( llei|Uci>, especially .Mr Neville Chamberlain. Oeneral opinion in Conservative quarters -i-em- to lie that Mr Baldwin will now continue to hold ofliee until Parliament meets on the Sill January. Then, if defeated on the Address-in-llejily, the Kino will call on Mr Barnsay MacDonald, though Air Baldwin’s first desire was to resign, considering this his dutv sis hr- had declared he would stand or fall liy the result of the election. Liberals agree that if the opposition is asked to form a .Ministry the first olfer will no to .MacDonald, hut if Inis unwilling Air Asquith will form n Government or give facilities to enable another Dovernnu-nt to carry on the Jiuaneial and administrative business. IDAfr Baldwin is unwilling to eontintie in ofliee in such eireumstanees Lord Derby, Sir 11. Ilorue or Mr Austin Cliamliei lain are mentioned. In thanking his siipporlcrx in West ' Birmingham yesterday -Mr Austen Chamberlain sent a message, "If we cannot carry out our policy it is in liiirmmiv with the traditions of the

great constitutional party that wo should olfer no vexatious opposition to any moderate Dovernnient which can lie formed, and which offers any prospect of .stability and security to the country in troublous times.” Some Liberals suggest, if they keep the Conservatives in ofliee for a certain period, upon conditions, these should include an alternative vote at ’ the next election in order to avoid the anomaly of a minority vote so|P curing a candidate’s election. The “Daily Express” favours the prompt resignation of Air Baldwin in favour of Al.r AiucDonald. whom the “Express” believes is willing to form a Government. The paper says: “It would he disastrous for the Conservatives to hold ollieo until censured by the 'Commons. Under a wise prudent leadership like Air .Bon nr Law’s, Conservatism will quickly - recover.’*

ENGLISH rOUTIC'.I ANS DE NOUNCED. (Received this (lav at 30.10 a.in.) , LONDON, Pec. 10. Mr Austin Hopkinson, a momher of the House of Commons, speaking at Ashton-undor-Lyne, said that the politicians of Britain had reached a depth of degradation so far unknown, even in the rotten borough days. Tliere had been a distinct lowering of tone in the political life of each of the last, four Parliaments. One could see the reason in the midst of the recent campaign. wherein the amount ol lying slander, the utter lack of patriotism and of real love for the welfare of the people baffled description. He eon- >.. eludes:—"l have given my blood, money and services absolutely wholeheartedly to the country, hut the degree of hatred and malice, even close -*To my homo, is a horror and a disgust to me as each election comes. Unless the young men and women of Britain insist upon truth, honesty and patriotism in polities, heaven help the country.”

a pi? loss vi row. ["The Times’’ Seiivice.l (Received this day at 10.25 a.in.) LONDON. Dee. 10. The •■Times" in a leader, urge.- the Conservatives to dis-uade .Mr Baldwin •from following his inclination to resign forthwith the leadership of the partv. Conservatives would consider it a mo re horrible course to lace I nilinmcnt. There is an easy parade of precedents lor resigning, lint in tile present circumstances it seems beyond titles lion, not only the most constitutional, hut the most straight-forward course for Government to carry on tin* duties with which it is clanged. If it chooses otherwise il may have the satisfaction of embarrassing to a further degree its discordant opponents, but it also would lie liable to the taunt that it is afraid to lace detent like men. This will come soon enough. There is neither reason nor honour in going out to meet it beforehand.

ELECTION COMMENT, f ["The Times” Service.l ißeceired this day nt 9.45 a.mA LONDON, Dec. 10. The "Daily Telegraph” pleads that there he no more gambling. The nation cannot- niford a Government to make any more miscalculations. lhe pact- asks why should Mr Baldwin resign. The Conervatives and Liberals should act together. The "lelegraplr” Labour correspondent says sorci urge that Labour should postpone the capital levy and coalesce with the Liberals in social reform, which would employ their joint energies for several years. These quite misunderstand the policy of the Labour Party. The capital levy is only a short step along the road to the establishment of a Socialistic Commonwealth, putting collective ownership by the state in place of capitalism, and the system of private enterprise, -until all production is distributed by exchange Socialism. The “Daily Herald” proposed a Labour Government should he formed. This though doubtless rash, would make a strong appeal to the sporting nation, as Labour is the only p.ti t\ which has an iintnployment policy and enn challenge other parties to reject its proposals. No bargaining with pny ft flier party c»n be thought of.

No working arrangement can lie considered, but if Labour were to take hold of a vigorous !iri;\ other parties might bo frightened into letting it through. ,1. Wheatley, Lab-mr member for Shell lesion divi-on of Glasgow. sjK-ak-i I j»r ;i LaboUl’ < k’MIOll L l*J l» iol) ill Glasgow, claimed that Glasgow was as proud of its red Hag as ever. Labour had got Libeiaii-m in Scotland on tin* inn. We are told lie- King’-. Government must, lie carried nil. but we lail to see the neeessiiv as in,- movenn-nt which sen! u- into noble life is not interested in tie- King’s Government. but. sent us to establish and carry on Government by the people.

a !t;;-;\< ii view. j "Tin: Timus” 'i:iwi. r,.j 'lleeeived this day at I—-1 -» Ji.m.i LONDON, Dee. 10 The "Times” Baris correspondent says ihe Kreiich at lirst were greatly shocked at the result; of the British elections in view of the probable changed policy in regard to the reparation, nu-stiou. It also considered only the Baldwin Government would be able pi maintain or strengthen the KnU-nte. They now see as the outcome ol the elections the destruction of the formidable ta rill’ menace ar.it are beginning to eougrauihile themselves since it is argued that ii Al.r Baldwin won lie would have had a powerful weapon which might have been directed against I‘banee. Thu.,, with the possibility ol a lien-e economic batllc there is di-eri-i-t rejoicing that tile f-iinflift has been avoided. .Moreover greater -in--., is being laid oil Air Baldwin’s opposition to the Bulir jioliey. 11 is alleged lie is of opinion that payment of ivparations by Germany would mean ruinous competition with Britain.

'i In- "Times" Berlin correspondent ays as I lie elfcet of the passing of

the Parliamentary I’nwt-rs Bill, whereby the Marx ( ahi net e, ab-o!n,l from I’at liainenlar.v control till loth Kebruary next, and empowered to rule a.- it de'-ius necessary in the sole inlcre-ts ol ihe people and nation. The I’eiehslag ceases to count and Cabinet becomes virtually despotic. The correspondent adds that Marx is a noted tactician. lie secured the Socialist support by agreeing to establish a committee of lifteen members of the lleiehstag to watch and report on hi* actions. The committee, however, will be -powerless to interfere. The most they are able. In do will lie to express an opinion. Cabinet is credited with a vast new taxation plan.

THE 1.1 BEH AIS AND KB ANTE. (Ileeeived this day at 12.25 p.m ) BAIIIS. December' it).

Interviewed by “I.e Journal’s" Loudon <o. n-s| oh ielit, I.- I'd Haldane. (Iceland that l-'riime would he mistaken

if .-lie supposes the accession of the Liberal- or ’Labour to power would mean a rupture with I- ranee. The l.ibt>:nls, like the rest of the cumurv, keenly and sincerely desired an undeistamlillg- with. Fiance and aimed ai taking, in concert with Era nee measures ruleiilateil to set Germany on her feet. The keynote of their policy to l-'ianee would be to avoid anything that might lead

to war. wherein Britain was hound to he involved. There must, he an understanding m legat'd to the Bulir pngramme. embodying guarantees t.. |-ranee and ensuring the establishment of peace. He was of the opinion that Britain would lie prepared to conclude a pact with Kraiiee which would give Hi it;:ill tin- means to intervene ill tinevent of a jepetition of the HH-.l situation. ELECTION NOTES. J UtxTKits Tn'.Et.iiAMX. ] (Ileeeived this day at 12.25 j'.iu A I,ON DON', December HI. Tin: representation ol English combined l niveisities is unchanged. Sir Mailiu C nway (Conservative; GO; H \ L. I'i-yer (Lih/rall Bllri. Argyll seat is not banged, Sir William Sutherland (Uncial) !X)2l>: .Marqitis-t,.-i (Conservative! 8100. Inverness i' iineliailged. Sir .Murdoch MacDonald (Liberal) Id.HU; Kinloch (Labour' 7385. I.midon University retm ned n Conservative. Sir Sydney Bussell Wells, by a majority of 1511 over the Liberal. Dro-fe-sor A. E. I.V-llard, while Air 11. G. VO-lls (Labour) was at the hot torn of the JK.II.