The Guardian And Evening Star, with which is incorporated the West Coast Times. MONDAY, OCTOBER 13th, 1024. THE BRITISH ELECTIONS.

Hokitika Guardian, 13 October 1924, Page 2

The Guardian And Evening Star, with which is incorporated the West Coast Times. MONDAY, OCTOBER 13th, 1024. THE BRITISH ELECTIONS.

With surprising swiftness a general election throughout the United Kingdom will come to pass almost within a fortnight. Within a months’ time at the latest, the House of Commons will be resuming its deliberations under normal conditions. It is a remarkable result in so brief a time, and suggests that Old England is not so etfete after all. Her civil service-must lie a truly wonderful machine to put through so great a result in so short a time. The Labor Government which has lieen in a minortiy through the eight months of its existence, will face the electors with considerable prestige. By grace of the 'J.ilierals, Lalior has held office, and has performed the services to date only with the active support of the Liberal party. The Conservatives were the principal party in the dissolved Parliament, and the Liberals the third party. There will now be a reshuffling of the political cards, and tho world looking on will expect to see many changes. No doubt- the world will not

lie disappointed. Although the Government suffered several defeats in the Mouse of Commons during its term of nHice, it was not till the Campbell case came to the lore that the situation was deemed grave. Mr MacDonald may have been prompted to accept fins issue as a. deciding event more on account of what was said outside the House, than in it. As a matter of fact the criticism was not unkind or unduly cutting. Indeed, the Liberals while performing an obvious duty did so as delicately as possible, holding out the olive branch all the time, lint the press criticism has been severe. 'I he

party papers were very critical and decidedly outspoken. No doubt the Prime Minister felt the criticisms which must have touched his honor. The chief charge against the Government is that it is beholden to the '‘red” element in Labor, and that it acts at behests from that i|iiarter, irrespective of national considerations. There i.s a review of the JSritish political position in another column, written in Augiiest by one who seems to touch on the points of what has now come to pns.s. very accurately. Mr Ramsay MacDonald probably was tired of the domination of the extreme .seition behind him. and felt that, a general election was the best method of clearing the air. and giving a truer political atmospheie in which hotter work could be done. The Prime Minister and his following eo to the polls with greatly enhanced prestige as to their capabilities under certain conditions. The fate of the party now depends on the policy which will be put forward. Labor's political ambitious as so often expressed, have been held ill cheek by the Liberals, who directed, if they did not mould, the policy which the MacDonald Ministry followed. Willi an enhamed following Labor migliL be independent of llic Liberals in the future, and if so what will lie its policy 7 That is for the Government now at the mint of dual appeal to make plain. The Government has been praised for its foreign policy, other than the Russian negotiations. It has won credit and some renown over the settlement with Germany—as far as it has gone, ttu such questions as tile Irish boundary issue and the preteremo to the Dominions in trade, there are mixed political opinions at. llom». Regarding the Campbell case, and the Russian treaty, the Government have failed to satisfy public opinion In reference to housing and unemployment, the Government failed to do much hotter than its predecessors, who fount] both subjects, a. product of war times, difficult indeed to handle. In general policy the Government kicked special distinction, due no doubt to its newness to office ami the novelty o exercising administration. The burden of that duty had its lextraining inlluonce, which acted as a break and the Ministry was not long enough in office to grow familiar with its newfound strength and how best to exercise wisely and not foolishly. During the next fortnight there will he a

great flow of eloquence at Home, hut the issues are clearer cut than they ivi-io tit the beginning of the year, and -Labor is on its trial as it never was before. On that actount the issues of the election are of momentous eonsequence to the nation.