LATEST CABLE NEWS BRITISH POLITICS.

Hokitika Guardian, 25 January 1924, Page 2

LATEST CABLE NEWS BRITISH POLITICS.

AUSTHALIAN AND N.Z. CABLE ASSOCIATION. SOME OPINIONS. LONDON, Jan. 23. The Sooltish Labourite Commoner. Mr Maxton, declared that the Clydeitos are satisfied with the appointment of Mr Wheatley, who is the one man capable of dealing with the housing problem Mr Kirkwood said: “If the Labour Government disappoints the workers, God help them.” Mr Stewart anticipated tie Government would provide a decent standard of life for millions of people, but any member of the Government failing in this connection "ill have to answer therefore.

On the whole, the personnel of the first Labour Government is meeting with a remarkable and sympathetic reception. Even the extreme Conservative organs are lioleworthily silent regarding the predictions of disaster. The papers generally, including the Rothermere and Beavcrhrnok anti-So-eialist press, gives a blessing to the new experiment. This large degree l) l popularity is iitidniihtdly due to the diverse and well lialam ed nature ot the Ministry comprising Trades 1 nioiiisis and intelligentsia m somewhat equal proportions nith n good leavening ol experienced administrators, several ol whom arc accessions to the Labour ranks, including Lord Chelmsford, who is still, nominally, a Conservative Peer.

CABINET EXTREMELY MODERATE. LONDON. .lan. 23.

With the exception ol Mr \\ heat ley, who is probably a hostage for the good behaviour of tin* Clyde extremists, the complexion of the new Ministry is decidedly moderate. Surprise is expresed at the non-inclusion of the women, hut amends for this will probably l>e found in the list of Under Secretaries. Mr MacDonald’s list, necessitates at least one new peerage in conformity with the law requiring that at least one Secretary of State shall sit in the Cords. This will probably he Sir Sydney Olivier. CABINET SWORN IN. LONDON, Jan. 23. Mr Baldwin, is vacating Number Ten, Downing Street, on Friday. Mr MacDonald goes in on Monday. To-day’s chief business was the exchange of seals and the swearing in of the new Ministers by t-lie Privy Comuil. which the Prince of Wales attended. lie was introduced to the new Ministers. The first Cabinet meeting followed. The Cabinet at a meeting, held a preliminary discussion on the questions of unemployment, housing, agriculture and the ex-service men. MR THOMAS RESIGNS. LONDON, Jan. 23 Rt. Hon J. li. Thomas (Secretary of State for the Colonies) has resigned the political secretaryship of the National Union of Raihvayinen. LONDON, Jan. 23. Professor Robert Richards has been appointed Under-Secretary for India. M ISI.STR Y’S INTENTIONS. LONDON, .Tan. 23 The “Daily Express” Lobby correspondent says :—M.r AfaeDouuld s colleagues have warmly approved Ins plans for saving the time of members of tbe Cabinet by means of special committees, so that the full Cabinet can devote itself to the consideration of general principles and policy. All MacDonald is taking immediate steps to secure the recognition of Russia and to re-open the question of the German reparation* and the- policy m the French (•avcrcr-ier-T Connr H'-Un;; «ug Kriolr- ■ Daily Hen’.i ' 1272 The- r.cw l----on employment, be*.: ?■-- foreign policy than those they now replace. The “Daily Express” says:—‘The change of Government "'ill give vigoui to the League of Nations. Lord Rarntoor will co-operate with Air MacDonald in such matters as tbe railway situation in the Cologne area, and the Separatist movement in the Rhineland. Rt. Hon Mr Wheatley has accepted the Ministry of Health on the understanding that his main business is to accelerate building schemes. lie "ill pay attention to the matter of the building rings with which the Cabinet intend to take strong measures. Later the Cabinet intend to enquire into the operations of the trusts all over the country.

A Bill to amend the unemployment insurance scheme will be introduced without delay.

The “Daily Express” says that most of the members of the ( abinet have re-appointed the private secretaries of the out-going Conservatives. Even Mr Baldwin's private secretaries will act for the time being, and the Cabinet Secretariat goes on. Besides Sir S. Olivier and General Thomson u is expected that Air Ainohl. who was a page to Queen 'Victoria, will he created a Peer, representing tin- Foreign Office in the Mouse of Lords. Air A. Henderson may contest Air l’onsonby’s seat of Southeast, Leeds. This seat is likolv to he vacant through the appointment of Mr () Grally. Al l’, as Britsih Abmassador to Russia. The "Daily Express” says:—Tins names of the new Al.blisters give the promise of a sound government. There is unquestionable ability as well as new blood.” “Lo Temps” says :— Opposition to the French would he a most convenient wav of securing the Cabinet’s unanimity,” hut it doubts whether an antiFrench policy would for long improve Anglo-German relations, as, sooner or later, as Lord Haldane well knew, Britain will have to face the problem of Gonnanir extension.

“Le Journal des Debuts” remarks that the responsibility for England’* experiment rests with the Liberals, who are playing a game whereon the fate of Britain and the peace of Europe depends. “La Liberte” declares : Mr MacDonald’s Government, excepting Mr dynes. is composed of Germanophiles. These are mystics, preachers, and Biblical maniacs. They arc not liberalminded. but Free Church parsons.”

LABOUR MINISTER AIOYES. LONDON, Jan. 23

lit. Hon. A. Henderson, as soon as he took Ministerial office, put himself into official coinmunicaion with the railway loco men’s strike leaders. It is also expected that meetings under his own guidance will he convened at once. It is also expected that a conference between tlie loco men s union and the managers of the railway companies will be held to-day. A number of strikers resumed work, while the services of both lines have improved. Four Clyde Labour members who were going home to Glasgow, determined not to go by train, owing to the strike. Finally then went by motor, while other .Scottish Labourites took boat to Leith.

THE NEAV MINISTRY. LONDON, Jan. 23. The Parliamentary lobby correspondent of the Herald,” states

that the reason why the Cabinet is a largo one, is that a great deal .of work will Ixi done by the means of committees of Ministers, These Will thrash out all questions referred to and will report their own conclusions to the full Cabinet. The function of the full Cabinet will thus he to supervise and make the filial decisons. Thcrfore, the country will now have a government that is organised on business lines.