LATEST CABLE NEWS BRITISH ELECTIONS.

Hokitika Guardian, 14 December 1923, Page 2

LATEST CABLE NEWS

BRITISH ELECTIONS.

[Rbuters Telegrams.] A LIBKBAL ANTICIPATION. LONDON, Dec. 13. Central News Agency’s inquiries in Liberal circles show that many Liberals, including Mr Lloyd George and Sir J. Simon, based on the belief that Labour will get Liberal support for their amendment to the Address-in-Beplv. which would turn the Government out. Labour would then put their programme in the King’s speech, and would appeal to the country. A good many Liberals will think twice before installing ATr MacDonald in No 10, Downing Street ; though other Literals believe that if Labour is allowed to hold office lor a few months it is certain to advance proposals on which defeat at the polls would be inevitable. LONDON. Dec. 13. Sir F. Banbury, ALB., is heading a movement in the Conservative Party advocating a working arrangement with the Liberals by which the Government would abandon contention.' legislation, and devote themselves to the reducing of expenditure and taxation. If Alt' Asquith refuses he proposes that the Government should then offer to support him, il 1m were willing to form a Government that would give a similar undertaking. QUESTION OF SALARIES. LONDON. Dec. 13. Il is authoritatively announced thf.t tin- Labour Party intends to take the emoluments ami patronage ol office as well as the responsibilities, and meanwhile will endeavour to obtain support for an increase in the salary of members of the House of Commons to £'ooo a year. Certain Labour extremists propose that, iu the event of Labour taking office, the members of the Government should sacrifice the emoluments of office, and live on the Parliamentary .allowance of £4OO per year. OXFORD ELECTION*. LONDON. Dee. 13. Sir Charles Oman ami Lord Hugh Cecil. Conservative, were elected to represent Oxtord l.nivorsity, with a majority of 240 over Professor Gilbert Murray, the Liberal. THE GOVERNMENTS PROGRAM MTS. LONDON, Dec. 13. It is authoritatively stated that the programme with which the Government will meet Parliament will not include Mr Baldwin’s tariff proposals, hut most probably the measures for Empire development agreed upon at the Imperial Conference, other than those of a protectionist; character, will be put in the forefront; for example, the extension of trade credits, improvements in communications, and preference in Imperial contracts.

MR ASQUITH’S DENIAL. LONDON. Dec. 13. Mr Asquith Ims replied to a correspondent that there is no foundation for the foolish inventions that the Liberals seek an alliance with the Conservatives. EARL OF CAY AN'S YISIT. [REUTEItS Tf.I ,KOKAMS. ] ■'Received this day at 9.25 a.m.) LONDON. December 13. In view of the present circumstances the proposed visit by the Fail ol Cavan to the Dominions lias been camelled. MB MACDONALD'S AYORBIES. (Deceived this day at 9.25 a.m.) LONDON. December 13. (me of Mr Ramsay MacDonald’s minor embarrassments is believed to bo tlie placating of the supor-alnimliitrt. claimants for office. Contrary to expectations this is not to apply to the House of lauds where lie is credited with having willing helpers in Lords Haldane, and Kimberley. Bussell ami Parmoor. These will he sufficient' for immediate contingencies, while it is rumoured that several other offers of assistance has been received. The Unionist headquarters denies that it lias purchased the “Morning Post.” DAILY MAIL VIEW. LONDON, December 13. The “Daily Mail” in an editorial says—’-'Although Mr Asquith has characterised as a. foolish invention the suggestion that Liberals may seek an alliance with Mr Baldwin or a section of the Conservatives the pressure of events in the near future must obviously force them to co-operate against tin; revolutionaiy party, and despite all protests a fusion must come, because the country is sorely menaced.

LABOUR- LEADER ON ALLIED DEBTS. fß'Pieived this day at 0.45 a.m.A LONDON. Dec. 13. The views recently expressed in the French interview by -Mr Ramsay .McDonald were quickly taken up in Belgium in the Chamber during a debate, when the Premier Ihetinis, replying to the criticisms of the Socialist, .M. Vandorvoile, asserted that -Mr McDonald’s first aleelarathln. after the Labour success at the polls, was that he would insist on the payment of the inter-Allied debts. Vanderveldt said that such a declaration was in contrast with the engagement. taken at the Frankfurt Conference and if Air MacDonald did not honor it (the engagement) they would know how to recall them to him. In a statement to-night Mr MacDonald said that what he told the interviewer Mas that- if no general settlement was reached. Britain could not continue to pay her American debt and allow France which was, industrially, bettei olf than we, to disregard her obligations to us. He added with emphasis : _”\Ye will never agree to anything which victimizes Britain m interests of any other state.