BRITISH POLITICS.

Hokitika Guardian, 16 January 1924, Page 3

BRITISH POLITICS.

LATEST CABLE NEWS

AUSTHAM.WV AM) N.Z. CAULK ASSOCIATION. lAN HAMILTON—SRC. OF WAR. (Received this day at 8 a.in.) LONDON, January M. It is reported that Air Ramsay MacDonald has asked Sir Inn Hamilton to Secretary of (War. but Sir lan Hamilton stated that he has not yet received any delinite offer. I-ABOnrs FOR El ON I’OUCY. LONDON, .fa unary If. Mi Scott Duckcis, who wa.s a proiniHint consciciuions olijcelor during the "nr. in a speech in f/Ondon. said the luicign policy was settled and no mice money would be voted for the .Silicapore policy. The Labour Lovernuient would secure tile fullest, possible repaiation.s from (.lorniany, would lone a powerful navv, a well paid and efficient, army and failing a satisfactory understanding with Frame, an increased sir force. 110 AIK POLITICS. NO ACiR.REAIF.NT BETWEEN DA It'lT KS. (Received this day at 8 a.rn.) LONDON, January 10. I’arliament opens to-day without any element hour agreement hetween the parlies.

The ‘‘Daily Telegraph” states that Mr AlaeDonaltl will speak immediately aHe i the Address has been moved and set oiided.

The Doctor has {.panted Air Asquith permission to attend Parliament, hut he is still suffering with his throat and probably, therelorc, Air Lloyd Oeorge will lauiicli the Liberal attack, followed by Air ALieDonald. 'flic debate is expected to he prolonged. Over lilty Liberals are anxious to defend 'themselves belore their country cull sL it u- < i:ts, for installing the Socialist' in ofiicc. Many Al i nisteria lis I s arc eager to nicer the challenge. Air AlacDomdd

"id require ah.nil ten days to complete his arrangements and when Ai r Baldwin is defeated. Parliament will adjourn for that period.

The ‘‘Daily Herald’’ says the f hum amendment to (lie address v.

he moved by tile Don. .1. IP dynes on Thursday. It "ill he the simple assertion that the (hiverumenl, does not possess the confidence oi the House. Air ALieDonald will wind up the debate. TH K KIND’S lIOI'SEUd D. LONDON, .fan. 1,. Tile “Times,” in a leader, says when Air ALieDonald is summoned to bum a (fovornnieiil:, lie "ill have to consider how certain offices of the Royal horsehold will he filled. The simplest and best solution of the )»roblcm seems to him lo leave the fillin'; of these posts unlettered in the personal choice of the King. The reason why the i lioiee could not lie left to the Clown no longer exists. There was a time when household appointments "ere used as a, means of recruiting the King’s friends in Parliament, when those who hold them were sometimes employed in intrigue against the King’s ministers. All the dangers and abuses of that kind are long past. The King would choose whom he thought host fitted for the posts. Future ministries would be relieved from the temptation of assigning them, as place hunters, using thorn to strengthen the party interests. Should Air ALieDonald think it proper to make a change it is hoped no sucessor of his will find it desirable +o reverse so natural a reform.

THK KINO’S SPEECH. HR A VEST COX CORN' OX CRESSET). |. I! F.CT KI! S XeJ. Eli It A MS. ] (Received this dav at 12 noon’). LONDON. .Lin. U. Tim King's speech nt. the opening states: ReflUwm* "iih the Foreign Powerare friendly and the King is clad in record definite progress in the solution of the questions which hitherto have blocked a pathway towards a mutual understanding and retarded the recovery of the world's peace. A Bill would lie introduced lo give effect to the Lausanne Treaty, and as soon as it was passed the Ireaty would ho ratified and a new era ot peaceful relations with Turkey he opened.

The Angln-Amorimyi agreement in regard to the illicit; importation of liquor into the Fnited State.- is nit the eve of conclusion, and should further strengthen the happy relations between the two countries. It continues to he my object to suitport, h.v every mentis in iny power, the steady and growing influence of the League of Nations. The recent murders on the North-AAest frontier of India has caused me much concern ami T earnest 1- -<t the criminals will he punished-' . more satisfactory telations established on the frontier 14 ton. The recent Imperial (J;nforenees marked a very definite propress in Imperial co-operation. More partierdnrly was it found possible, without a departure from the existing fiscal system of this country, to meet the wishes of the Dominions by a subjk Ktautial extension of flic ptinciple ot Imperial preference. wbicli was jtstnblished hy the Conference in Mill, and enforced since 101 P. Proposals to pive effect to both conferences will he submitted to von. I welcome the opportunity alfordcd bv the British Exliibiton to increase out- knowledge of the varied resources of the Empire, and stimulate International trade. The speech expresses the gravest concern for the unemployment:. m view of the country's non-acceptance of the recent proposals and solution of the problem. The Commons would he invited m •lesion, to an extension and an amendment of the trade facilities and the expert credit schemes: also to a I'j'oposal of the Economic Conference for expediting and assisting the execution of certain public enterprises in the Empire by a grant of financial aid from the public funds, and an extension of contributions towards the cost - public utility works, undertaken by local authorities or statutory and private corporations. The Commons will he asked to assist in providing whim iu the .shipbuilding industry by the

immediate construction of crumers < ami auxiliary craft in anticipation ot the naval programme. Steps would l ( , taken to develop the existing s.vsof juvenile employment in centres, and to improve the decreased facilities for general and technical education fot

miners. Xc is proposed to summon a comet - ei e . of those representing all interested iu agriculture and the political pariivjjfcvith the object of arriving at an agreed policy whereby the acreage of ail arable land may he maintained, amt regular employment at an adequate wage secured for the agricultural work-

Bißs will he introduced to improve the position of pre-war pensioners and te deal with the discouragement of thrift involved in the present limitation to old age pensions.

The speech, inter alia, mentions Bills J. go amend the Factory Acts proposal to increase the activity under the Sections of the Housing Act, enabling worm.-rs to become the owners of their homes : measures to’complete land purchase in ti e north of Ireland and a guarantee of tn> principal and interest on bonds tsst|c<! by t’hl Ooyppinippt f>f thff frisli

Free State under the Land Act tvhi.jh was recently passed. The obligation to alleviate the hardship caused by former disturbances in Tinland, is recognised. Proposals will he submitted for the expansion of the Royal Air Force in connection with Home Defence.

LA ROLL’ 'S NCI CON LI DKXCE Mil! lON. DATK NOT FIXED. LONDON, .lanunry id. The Labour amendment moved by I lie Hell. .1. n. civile,, L - follows : - ‘T: I, mu duty to ro'po! i fully lo submit to your Ala jo ty that His ALijo-ty':-f■ itlll ndvi'.W' have no! the i oiilidewe of this linn- '!’!.<• lisle of moving has not ,\e! boon lived.