BRITISH POLITICS.

Hokitika Guardian, 21 March 1924, Page 3

BRITISH POLITICS.

AUSTRALIAN AND N.Z. CAULK ASSOCIATION. MR BALDWIN ON UNEMPLOYMENT. (Recoivod this day at 0.25 a.rn.) LONDON, March 20. 'Mr Baldwin, speaking at the Carlton Club luncheon, surprised members by his reference to unemployment, declaring that there would be no peace or prosperity in Britain until they had the 'masses working and earning good wages, thus living under better condiions. Whatever profits tbe middleman and tin; banking and railway companies might make, unless the working people’s conditions were improved tbe whole edifice would rumble and fall. He noticed that, though company chairmen referred to these matters, to be reduced. The miners should not he regarded as a disgruntled lot, ai--1 ways ready to strike. They made great sacrifices for the country and had gone through a critical two years most courageously. The Conservatives ought to study tlio economic aspects of unemployment.

MR TILLETT’S CHARGES. LONDON, -March 20. Mr Ben Tillett, a former member of the Empire Exhibition Management Committee, in tbe course of criticism in the Commons, declared that irresponsible persons had been given control and these had formed a hush-hush bureaucracy. Largo sums had been voted without supplying details to any committee and names of high placed persons had been used to silence inquiries. What had gone on was a form of corruption which was an insult >o the throne itself. Mr Tillett doubted if the Indian pavilion would be ready even in July or August.

Mr J. H. Thomas in denying the charges of unreadiness admitted that '< few weeks ago the tiling did not run smoothly. There had been too m.-un-people dabbling in the show and it !ocame necessary to tell a few people that the exhibition, on which tweho millions had been spent, had to be made a success. .Ur Thomas mentioned that i.oul Devonshire, apart from his services as chairman, had personally guaranteed the exhibition to the extent of four hundred thousand sterling. AX ELECTION SUP. CAUSES INCREASED EXCITEMENT. LONDON, March 2(1. Excitement at the bye-election for the Abbey decision of AVestminster wliich was unprecedented throughout owing to tbe energy with which Mr Churchill, standing as Independent anti-Socialist but supported by many promimont Conservatives including Mr Balfour conducted tbe electioneering, culminated in an erroneous announcement) (if tbe poll in the early editions of evening papers, which were rushed to the streets and cables flashed worldwide declaring Mr Churchill was elected, but this was immediately cancelled. Figures later showed the voting was close and Mr Churchill’s demand for a recount was granted. The Liberal, Scott Duckors, polled so few that lie must forfeit his deposit, but ns lie throughout said, he was salts lied if he kept Mr Churchill out, the result will probably console him. The excitement in the counting room was intense. Just before the figures were announced it was intimated Unit Mr Churchill was elected and lie was warmly congratulated by bis supporters and smiling happily went to bis wife on tbe platiorm and told her of bis victory. A few minutes later there was a sudden sileneo when tlio returning officer pointed out there had been an error, and that . Mr Nicholson headed tbe poll. 'lbis was confirmed by a closer examination of the papers. Congratulations then showered upon Nicholson, while Churchill looking perturbed walked up and down the ball, ( biting his lips.