BRITISH POLITICS.

Hokitika Guardian, 4 February 1924, Page 2

BRITISH POLITICS.

ACBTBALIAN AND N.Z. CABLE ASSOCIATION,

CABINET INTENTIONS.

LONDON, Feb. 1. The “Daily Mail” stat,ex_Government contemplates drastic economies in order to give workers a free breakfast table, abolishing duties on tea and sugar.

ADVICE TO MR .MACDONALD. PARIS, Feb. J. The newspaper “Matin” comments,

"The best thing Mr MacDonald can do is to decisively tell Germany slio must not rely on* Britain’s support in evading the Treaty. This will give more confidence to the French people than even the most affectionate let-

11 19 ' BRITAIN AND RUSSIA. RECOGNITION OF SOA'IET. LONDON. February -■ The text of the note communication to the Russian Government by the British Government is announced. The British Trade Representative in Russia. Mr i.odigsun, has communicated ti e note, which declaresi ”1 fnue tho honour, by direction of my Go\eminent to in form Your Excellency that, they recognise the L'nioii of Socialist Soviet Republics as do jure the rulers of those territories of the old Russian Empire which acknowledge their authority. In order, however, to create the normal conditions of complete fl ielldiy y' relations and full commercial intercourse. it will be necessary to conclude definite practical agreements on a variety of matters, some of which have no direct connection, with the question of recognition, and some of which, on the other band, are intimately bound up with the fact of recognition. In the latter category, may be cited tho question of the existing treaties. His Majesty's Government aro advised that. recognitiun of the- .Soviet Government' of Russia will, according to the ncci pted principles ol international la", automatically bring into force all treaties. concluded between the two countiie.- previous to the Russian Revolution, except where these have been denounced, or otherwise judicially lapsed. It is obviously to the advantage of both countries that the position in regard to these treaties should be regularised simultaneously with recognition. Technically not connected with recognition, but clearly of the utmost importance are the problems of the settlement of the existing claims by Lh e governments and nationals of one party against the other and restoration ’'*■*- •if Russia’s credit. It is also manifest that genuinely friendly relations cannot he said to be completely established r,o long as either i»s the subject of propaganda against its interests, and directed towards the overthrow of its institution. In these circumstances, His Majesty’s Government invites tho Russian Government to send to London at the earliest possible date, representatives armed with full power to discuss these matters, and to draw up the preliminary basis of a complete treaty to settle all questions outstanding between the two countries. time. 1 have been given the status of "A Charge (I)’ Affaires, pending the appointment of an Ambassador, and His Majesty's Government will be glad similarly to receive a Russian Charge D’A fin ires, representing the Government of the Union at the Court of St. James.”

BRITISH RECOGNITION. LO£CDON. February 2. The. “Daily Telegraph’s”, diplomatic correspondent says: “Britain’s de jure recognition of the Soviet, which evitalile from a Labour Government, will remain an empty gesture, unless the Soviet, in turn, recognises the rights of the British Government and of British nationals. Although tho cognition of the Moscow Government is unconditional, it will remain a mere tirmality, which will bring the Soviet no financial or economic benefit, and singularly little political advantage, unless the Soviet is able and willing to recreate outside confidence by tbe adoption of the standards of international comity and commercial morality. It must be admitted that the whole tone and tenor of the British Note is such as might have been expected front a nonLabour British Government if it had decided upon recognition. In its cautious astuteness the Note clearly~beaw-_. . the impress of the professional diplomatist. Recognition, in these circumstances. represents only tho initial stop of probably protracted, difficult and laborious negotiations. It should ho noted that only the appointment of a Charge d’Affaires is proposed. Presumably an exchange of Ambassadors will only follow the satisfactory conclusion or a treaty.

-AIR SNOAVDEN’S POLICY. LONDON, Feb. 2

The “Daily Express” lobbyist says: Mr Philip Snowden (Chancellor of the Exchequer) is making a wide financial survey with tho object, not only of during the breakfast table duties, but of providing for certain social reforms. Proposals are being considered entailing a total cut in expenditure of twenty-five millions, but this will not be sufficient for Air Snowden’s aims. Accordingly, it is probable the supertax and death duties will he increased, and tho income tax will not be reduced. The Ail-rent year’s surplus will probably amount to fifteen millions, which must be applied to the reduction of debt. It is understood Mr Snowden has ordered a reduction in the estimates of every department, except education. There is reason to believe the AA’ar Office expenditure. otjU l>o reduced by five millions, and miralty’s by over five and a-half millions. Mr Snowden lias ordered a conitnuatiou of tbe staff reduction be-

gun four years ago. Mr Ren Tillott. in the “M.oriting Post,” describes the new Governmentas “the best Conservative Government we have bad for 70 years.”

“If you scratch tbe ordinary Socialist.” lie says, “you will find a. Conservative with a brain.”

CA P, IN ET’ S A CITY TTIES. LONDON, Feb. 2. Mr Ramsay MacDonald bad a con- * ference with the agricultural interests. He stated that, while the Govern has ruled out tariff protection or subsidies of this kind suggested hitherto, it was anxious to tackle the problem, which must Ik* treated as a town as well as a country problem. Mr Tom Shaw (Minister of Labour), is co-oneratintr with Mr AA’heatly ,<ifcl>nister of Health), who has summoned a conference for next week of the workers and employers to consider the supply of Labour for housing. The Cabinet lias been summoned to meet on Monday, when tho reports of committees on special subieets will be considered, with a view to the announcement of the Government s policy al the opening of Parliament. Mr MacDonald, after attending, the Pilgrim’s Dinner, motored to ClwqllWA, Court for the week-end. Messrs MacDonald and Clvnes. and (heir families will take possession of numbers ten and eleven. Downing St. next week.