BRITISH POLITICS.

Hokitika Guardian, 4 October 1924, Page 3

BRITISH POLITICS.

ADBTRALIAN AND N.Z. CABLE ASSOCIATION. GO VICE X'MKNT I) ISFEA T PREDICTED. LONDON, October 2. Tlio “Evening Stnndan!’’ says it is generally accepted by all parties that a general election is imminent. The Liberals have not definitely decided whether to support the Conservatives’ censure' motion arising out of the Communist prosecution, but the prevailing opinion is that they are committed thereto. In such an event the Government will be defeated next week. .Mr linldwju departing northwards to-(la.v, said that he was convinced tin' Conservatives wijl support the Liberals on the anti-Russian treaty motion. LONDON, October 2.

One day has brought about a dramatic change in the political situation. When the Liberal rank and file gathered in the lobbies, it was evident that there was a marked disinclination to follow .Mr Asquith’s and Sir John Simon’s lead in the direction of an immediate election. The opinion generally expressed was that the country would not welcome an election especially, on the flimsy pretext like the Campbell case. The Government's danger in connection with the Russian Treaty has also lteen partially removed by the announcement that .Mr MacDonald would not regard its amendment as a vote of censure.

As regards the Conservative motion in connection with the Campbell case, •when, the Liberal rank and file expressed a. dislike of this as a fighting issue. Mr Asquith and Sir J. Simon and other leaders hurriedly met. After it long discussion they revised their previous decision to support a vote of censure on Wednesday.

“WORKKISS’ WEEKLY” SPEAKS •LONDON, October 2.

The "Workers’ Weekly” complains of the Government’s severity to capitalism. It urges the .Labour Government to stop apologising for whet everyone in the Labour Movement, regards as a meritorious action, and it concludes demanding the repeal of the Mutiny Act and the sedition laws.

LTBEIIA'LS’ CRITICISM. DON DON, October 2.

Mr J. It. dynes, speaking at r. Trade Union meeting m London, twitted the Liberals ami Conservatives with being angry at Labour’s .success, lie said: "As regards Russia, we arc being denounced because we have succeeded when the Coalition failed, while Air Ramsay MacDonald has become the greatest symbol of pome that the modern world has ever known. ’I he reactionaries can stem our success no

longer.” Mr Clynos added that the Liberal Party’s motion against the Russian Treaty was the greatest blunder in the history of Liberal leadership. It would in due course, reduce the Liberals to a fragmentary part of the reactionary political forces.

roUTrOAL PAWNS. LONDON. O'lobc

Air Baldwin addressed 100 Conservatives at the Newcastle Hippodrome. The loudest cheers greeted his all.rmntion that Britain's nalmal markets were the dominions of the Empire, lie asserted that in view of the kssible development of trade with the < ominions and colonies, the Russian loan was a piece of incalculable folly. He asked if the dominions had been consulted in regard to the Russian 'I rea'.v. NEW ''LIBERAL .MOVE. LONDON. October In the House of Commons an unexpected development in the political situation occurred, owing R> Ihe tabling of a Liberal Ame'ml.mcul in the mine of Sir John Simon to the Conservative vote of censure proposing the appointment of a Select Committee to investigate ami report on the circumstances loading to the withdrawal id th° “Workers' Weekly" proceedings. Sir John Simon was one of the Government’s foremost critics when the subject was discussed in the House of Commons on September IttJtli. Sir John Simon asked leave to move ■Mie :nmencsnieuC. This nnK'.nu’mont lakes precedence of the vote of censure, so if the Government is delealeil, it will not necessarily resign.