LATEST CABLE NEWS BRITISH POLITICS.

Hokitika Guardian, 24 January 1924, Page 1

LATEST CABLE NEWS BRITISH POLITICS.

[ R I! V T Kit ST H L EUII A MS. ]

after the division. LONDON, January 22. Immediately after the division which was taken amidst- tli,* keenast excitement, Mr MacDonald claimed that the main question, namely, that the Address he put. The Speaker accepted this, which is allowable, thus wiping out the other amendments, amid a strong Conservative protest. The amended address, was then put and earned hy 328 to 231. On Mr Baldwin’s motion, the House adjourned until to-morrow. There were wild Labour cheers as Mr MacDonald left the Chamber. Mr Baldwin was also musingly cheered hy his supporters as he departed. The following Liberals voted tor the Government:—Sir Bcddoe Roes, and Sir Thomas Robinson; also Messrs Dochawoith, Hugh. Kd.wards, Rang, Sivnloek, llohiii. Jenkins. AY. K. Robinson, and Colonel England. “Ji is not a moment for elation. Jt is a terrible responsibility. Fail or succeed, no Government who is responsible for affairs will more honestly try to serve.” In those words .Mr MacDonald replied to the congratulations cm the result of the division. Mr MacDonald embarks on his historic adventure, assisted by much sympathy.

THE NEW GOVERNMENT AX'D Till') STRIKE.

LONDON. January 23

Ail eyes are watching to see how the new Government will deal with the strike, which is nowise complete, blit the stoppage is more .serious than the companies’ strike statements foreshadowed. The National Union of Railwaymen, generally are carrying on, and there is little inconvenience to travelk is. It is reported in a number of rent res. notably Birmingham and Manchester, that mails are everywhere handled expeditiously, but defections in several districts have upset the schedule's and caused severe disorganisation. especially ill the south ot England and Liverpool. AYaforloo station was closed dowiij early in the evening. An indication ol the erratic running is provided hy the Scotch express which arrived six hours late. So far the Minister for Transport considers it unnecessary to provide lor food transport.

THE ADVENT OF LABOUR. LONDON. Jan. 22. Events to the actual advent of the Labour GovcrnmOiii marched with dramatic swiftness. Cabinet met for the last time at 10.311 and within an lumr Mr Baldwin left- the back en(ranee of No 10 Downing Street, apparently intending to walk to the Palace, but many photographers appearing he jumped into a taxi. In an audience with the King be announced his resignation. The King immediately summoned Mr Macdonald who arrived. aei oinpanied hv Alessrs Henderson. (Jyncs and I holilas who also had been summoned. The King hold a Privy Council meeting at which Mr Macdonald was sworn :n as a Privy Councillor in the presence of his colleagues who already arc members. At ,i audience lasting SJ! belli' Ml Macdcrc'!'! alter' d Die ta k ■>! leim il**< ,i i ;-,i, i ion, a i ( ']uetmg crowds hold tip the Labourites leaving the |’alace, Mr Macdonald repeatedly raising bis hat and bowing aeknowedgiiu.'iil. An old navvy shouted: “Are you the Premier, Mac) ’ Mr Maodona id nodded and the navvy shouted: ■■Congratulations to you from the bottom of my heart.” Ho then rushed forward, accompanied bv several member- of (lie crowd and shook hands.

[[El,i‘ LOU I.ABOCR GOUYFIIXAIFXT. I.ONBOX. January 23. \t a meeting <>l" Ll lO Association ol British Chambers of Com mtuce at Birmingham, Sir Arthur Balfour, President, si)id that so long as a Labout Giovernment "as not controlled by Communists, the Chambers of Commerce wr.il nuo ,il all possible aid in its imdettakings for the benefit of tti country. Sir Arthur said that we were on the verge of an improvement in trade. Tin. Chambers would oppose nationalisation, and he believed that a capital levy would he disastrous, lie understood that the coining year would show a million or two surplus, hut economy wa> neeessarv in order to relieve taxation. The meet inn adopted resolutions i,i-ciii" upon the Government the desirability of a Bill for the carry hip out of tin* economic resolutions of the Imperial Conference, in favour of Tmperia' penny postage and urging the Government to approach the French and Italian Governments with regard to their debts to Britain.

analysis of voting. BONBON. January 22

An analysis of the voting oil the nocejtiluleiioo ,uio! ion m the CitinmVuis show that the majority was composed of TB7 Labour. 137 Liberals, 2 Irish Nationalists. 2 Independents. T!« minority consisted of 2T> Conservatives. 10 Liberals. 1 Independent. Fight women voted, five of them against, and three for the Government.