BRITISH POLITICS.

Hokitika Guardian, 29 January 1924, Page 3

BRITISH POLITICS.

[Recteks Teeeckams . ]

LABOR'S INTENTIONS. (Received Lilts dav at 9.25 a.m.) LONDON, Jan. 28. Mr Varlcy (a Commoner) in a speech to his constituents said the Labour Government had dralteu schemes dealing with unemployment, determined money should not stand in the wav of a remedy. Housing would he tackled rcgardlcs- ol the cost. Money must lie found some how amt Government intended an immediate inrjuii'v into finance, including all loims of taxation. They were also enquiring into the eost of prodnetion of all necessaries of life. Government would tell the other parties they could take snap votes and play monkey tricks in the Mouse of Commons hut Labour would not resign. If beaten on a imeonlidenee motion they would resign, and would tell the country why they wore be a ton.

FRANCK G LESSING. (“Sydney Sun” Cables). (Received this day at 9.25 n.tn.) PARTS, January 28. Most important diplomatic developments are expected within the fortnight following t»u Mr MacDonald's semi-official communication which is intended to open a general discussion on the whole European situation. M. Jn.spnr arrived suddenly and had a ((inference with M. Poincare. Political circles believe that Mr MacDonald’s ideas are those which Mr Lloyd George advanced two years ago and which France rejected. FRENCH COMMENT'. 'Received this day at 9.15 a.m.) LONDON, January 28. Commenting on the MacDonald interview, the Paris “Eclair” says, Mr MacDonald asks for everything without promising France anything. The “Echo tie Paris” says Mr MacDonald is at present cautious, hut he must sooner or later vote in favour ol methods of reparations very difficult to reconcile with the Fram o-Belgian policy A violent rupture is thus possible.

A notable conference. LONDON, Jan. 28. A Baris correspondent says the sudden unannounced visit of M. Jaspar (Belgian Foreign Minister) and his long interveiw with M. Poincare caused a. flutter in French political dovecotes, giving rise to much speculation, in spite of the official declaration that over much importance should not he attached to the interview, which it is assorted, related chiefly to the Ruhr, 'fhe correspondent declares it is believed AT. Jaspar also urged the need for complete stock-taking ol the general political situation, in view ol the advent of the now Government in Britain. The Belgian Government had always been most anxious to restore good relations between France and Britain, and even tried to net as intermediary between the two powers. More importance is attached to the interview, because of the interview between the Belgian Ambassador in London and Mr MacDonald, just before M. Jnspar’s sudden decision to see. M. I'oinearc. There appears to fie some hope that n general settlement would he facilitated by new proposals eoncorning intor-Allied debts in exch.mgi for which France might he willing 1,1 alter her Ruhr policy.

Official circles are strangely silent, Rut elsewhere there is a tendency to admit we are on the eve of inipoituut develo pinouts.