BRITISH POLITICS.

Hokitika Guardian, 15 January 1924, Page 2

BRITISH POLITICS.

AUSTRALIAN AND N.Z. CABLE ASSOCIATION. A POLITICAL VIEW. LONDON, Jan. 13. Donald Mat-Lean, speaking at Plymouth. said he disagreed profoundly with labour on many points, but lie believed in fair play. He assured bis friends that they need not fear violent revolutionary changes if Labour comes into office. It will come in gradually. LABOUR AND THE LEAGUE. LONDON. Jan. 13. The "Daily Telegraph's” Geneva correspondent! states the comjfug change of Government in Britain is causing anxiety in the League of Nations circles. It. is feared that should tho Council of the League be composed of a majority of Socialists, the latter may take such drastic action in carrying out the Covenant as would kill the institution altogether. M R GARYIN’S YIEAYS. LONDON, Jan. 13. Mr Garvin writing in the ‘'Observer’’ says the ignoble panic of the press trusts leaves an overhelming majority of the nation, irrespective of party, unmoved except by derision. Public instinct feels that the circumstances guarantee fundamental security. If at any moment for domestic. Imperial or Foreign reason, not now in sight, the maintenance of a Socialist minority in office became an evident peril, it could and would be turned out within twenty-four hours. Apart from this, there is a genuino desire to give Labour absolute fair play and a sobering education in niinisl/'riid experience. This will make them in future more efficient in opposition and afterwards a safer government if ever returned to powei. The Unionist Party lias kept its head and nerve. In the end I monism will hay to fight Socialism to the death. The tariff ran never be carried as a party measure by I nionism alone. Free imports cannot- be changed until industrial labour, here, ns in Australia and other countries, is converted to protection. Lot MacDonald call a six months truce to strife and controversy. Co-operation is Labour's right word in European police. It- cannot be a bad word for Britain, if MacDonald in this spirit, invites all parties to join him, he will not have to depend on Liberalism alone. NOT TO BE MOYEI). LONDON. January 12.

Mr Asquith, in replying to a group o( Ana isle,vitos who urged the unity the Liberals and Conservatives, stated that he sees no reason for recedju" from his considered opinion which lie expressed in a speech on the 18th. of December.

LABOUR'S ASPIRATIONS. INDIA A PROBLEM. LONDON. January 12. Josiah Wedgwood, whom the Cabinet makers and the Liberals papers declare will probably he Secretary for India, speaking at a conference ot the University Labour Federation, said the Labour Rally would welcome the assumption by the sell'-goveruing dominions of )iii-ther responsibility in foreign as well as domestic afisirs. Lahour regarded emigration as an invalualfc outlet lor the British people. They only opposed the assumption that it would solve unemployment. They did not wish emigration to he used as a means of supplying cheap Inborn to planters and manufacturers in the colonies. India would prove a test tor a Labour Government. The Labourites Imped to overcome tile difficulty by accelerating the conversion bl India into a . self-governing Dominion. This depended, not merely oil matters of fm-

a nee. defeTme and internal order, but on winning the Indian Nationalists to meet them half-way. Self-Government must he restrained in the various colonics until the people are fit for it. The question of developing trade and indusiiies in these countries must be regulated by knowledge. The aim of the lat hour Party was a British Commonwealth of the people ot the various colours -a free union of free people. LABOUR RESTLESS. PARTY’S CHANCES .JEOPARDISED LONDON, Jan. 13. Afr Bromley, made a. further statement that tlu* men were instructed that unless the order was countermanded, to strike on the day and hour already fixed. Railway circles are of opinion that the strike will occur ott the loth., coinciding with lhe resumption of Parliament, sngggesting that the crisis jeopardises Labours chances of gaining power, because it emphasises the dangers ol extremism. It is pointed out that Mr MacDonald will he forced to deal with the dislocation of transport produced by a section of his own party in which there are many extremists.

The Trades Union Council i> being hastily convened for the 14th. io deal with tin- situation.

Tho miners are restless m many districts and voted in favour of ending tho present wajxos ji groom out.