BRITISH POLITICS.

Hokitika Guardian, 10 November 1924, Page 2

BRITISH POLITICS.

[Reuters Telegrams.]

UN DE R-SECR ETAR YSHI PS: LONDON, Nov. 7. It is understood that nineteen appointments cabled comprise uni'ictsecrotaryships. Other offices will probably be announced to-morrow;

A SENSATION. LONDON, Nov. 7

Air Churchill’s appointment has created a sensation ill political tircles, and despite Air Austen Chamberlain being appointed Deputy Leader of the Commons, the Chancellors’ proximity to the Premier has badly impressed the Die Hard Conservatives.

Sir R. Horne declined office owing to the binding* character of his city connectons.

AIR BALDWIN’S CABINET

COAIAIKNT ON THE TERSONNEI

LONDON November 7

The Conservative and Liberal newspapers appear generally to commend Afr Baldwin’s chine. Such criticism as finds expression ranges round Air C liiin hiM’s Exchequership, and Sir R. Horne’s exclusion concerning tfie circumstances of which the “Daily Telegraph's” political correspondent has the Rankest narrative. He says Air Baidu in at the first interview asked Sir R. Horne to accept the Labour Alinistry. Sir R. llo:lie said he would be prepared tc. Ilia ke severe personal sacrifices in order to return to the Exchequer, but 1)0 felt lie was unable, to accept the portfolio of Labour, which was the Department wherein he began his AI inis—terial career. Yesterday Horne had two further interviews with Air Baldwin when it was urged that the Labour Alinistry was of the greatest importance at the present, though the salary was only £2OOO. Sir R. Horne felt ho was unable to leeonsider bis decision. The correspondent affirms tlmt Labour was the only post offered to him from first to last.

Air Churchill’s Exchequership took tlic newspaper and public completely by surprise. It is stated on giqul authority that Afr Baldwin consulted no one about this. Tlie most 'intriguing comment emanated from the “Alorning Rust”:— wo do not hesitate to applaud the bold experiment, it is not because Air Churchill lias not yet declared himself a Conservative nor is it based on Air Churchill's record, over which we are quite "illing to pass a sponge. It is because, rightly or wrongly. Air Churchill is regarded with hostility by the working classes, especially ox-servicers, and we fear this sentiment will make the co-operation we should desire to see between all classes, much more difficult. than if Air Baldwin bad undertaken it without the assistance of this new coruscating colleague. * The “Daily Telegraph” characterised Air Churchill's appointment as very courageous nut because of any doubt of his adequacy for the post kilt- liecause it was notorious that he was not equally acceptable to all sections of Baldwin's s'.ippol lers. The national finances which were gravely embarrassed by Air Snowden's reckless Budget, as the country will soon discover, call for a first ilass Chan: eller. AYe hope Mr Churchill will rise to a full unsure of the country’s neeiw.

The “Daily Chronicle” says Air Churchill's appointment shows Air Baldwin is standing up to the Tory Die Hards and also gives assurances that free trade will remain, even if small preferences to the Dominions are reviv-

Thc “Daiv Herald” conimonlfhg on flic “Evening Standard's” descriplitn of sir 11. Horne’s exclusion as a bail start, says this immediate outbreak ol squabbling is a good omen, and sliowr the Tory majority will easily go G pieces, if it is unceasingly and seienli in .iIK at lacked. Labour mu t plan ;

l aoipaign rand idly. Itega roing th Cabinet as a whole, it is pointed on that it contains few peers. Cecil. Pec and Novar are omitted.

Some surprise was ox prosed at Sir \. Steel Maitland's appointment to the I/ilmur Ministry, in view of Mr Baldwin’s insistence to Sir R. Horne of its paramount importance. The "Daily Chronicle” is of the opinion that if the Indian situation develops. l-ord Birkenhead's guidance will not be nerveless.

The “Daily Telegraph” summing up says the administration promises to be strong, capable and progressive. 3 here ,-an be no room for reactionary Toryism in the Cabinet, which includes the two Chamberlains. Lord Birkenhead and Mi Churchill. The ‘‘Morning 1’osl” is of the opinion that good predominates, as certainly it did not in the late Government or Coalition. ■

The “Daily Express” says the now Cabinet is in a blizzard which may nevorely test its infantile stamina Mr Churchill's appointment is beyond criticism. as far as ability is concerned. but as a deliberate stroke of party strategy it is inexplicabe. lie fought shoulder to shoulder with the party which was determined to destroy the preference resolutions, and it will now be his first duty as Chancellor to defend them. Regarding Sir R. Horne, it says the double blunder of omitting the offer of tlm Kxcliequeisliip to him and Hie barren offer of the Labour Ministry, beggars comment, but the Horne disaster is crowned and capped liv the Lord Derby diaster. It is a miracle of clumsiness to eliminate tbe leader of Scottish and Lancashire Tory ism.

GENERAL SMUTS’ HOPES. CAPETOWN. Nov. 7. At the South African Party Oniigr—• Mr Smuts said he believed the res i.t of the amazing political change ii England, the Imperial Conference preference proposals would bear fruit am new great markets would be obtained for tlie Dominions.

LABOUR AND THE KING. AIR AMMON’S TRIBUTE. (Received this day at 8 a.m.) LONDON, November 8. Mr Ammon, a Commoner and late Parliamentary Secretary to the Admiralty, writing in the " Sunday Express ” on the relationships between the Crown and tbe Labour Government says: “ It would be no exaggeration to say the relationships between His .Majesty and Mr MacDonald were cordial. Mr Thomas, who usually has a good story to tell was not an unwelcome visitor. Mr Arthur Henderson, whose duties took him. more to Court than other Ministers was certainly a persona grata, while Harry Gosling was quite popular. No one in touch with King George could fail to be agreeably surprised at bis wide general knowledge. It is a matter almost for surprise to realise how smoothly everything worked during the nine months. There is not a member of the late government who does not leave with added respect for King George or greater anpreeiatiuii of his value as chief executive officer of the State.

PRESS COMMENT. LONDON. Nov. 7. The “Times” says: Air Baldwin has resisted the temptation to surround himself with colleagues whose personal loyalty would he their main recommendation. He has offended numbers of nrdent members of the Conservative

Party, who prefer to see Air Churchill win Irtish spurs as a Conservative before entering the Cabinet. It was a bold, wise course to appoint him, indicating tlmt be did not fear the intrigues to give jobs to the associates of those whoso chief political ambition is to see the end of Air Baldwin’s

leadership. The “Graphil!” says:—Afr Baldwin offered Sir K. Tlornc a salary of £5009 yearly to accept the Labour portfolio. It was the Exchequer or nothing. The ‘Daily Alail” says: The inclus> ion of Mr Churchill in the Cabinet is the greatest and most welcome sun prise. It shows Air Baldwiit is auxi ions to complete a Conservative reunion, and liiakc the fullest Use of talents. Air Churchill was the most effective of the critics of Socialism, and he has long abandoned the effete pedantry of Cobden ism. The average age of the members of the Cabinet is 52. LONDON, Nov. 8.

The Press generally disproves of Colonel Amerv’s appointment ns Secretary for the Colonies. The “Alorning Post” says: ‘Me rejoice that Colonel Amery has been appointed to the Colonial Office. There are few politicians of with a greater knowledge or sounder views on Imperial problems. The “Dailv Telegraph considers Colonel Amery is likely to have an exceptionally difficult time with Ireland, which is now part of the Dominions. The “Daily Chronicle” says: “Colonel Amery was always a stalwart protectionist, anil a “diehard.’*

THE CHANGE OVER. LONDON, Nov. S.

liv a strange coincidence, the transfer of office at Buckingham Palace synchronised with tlie changing of the Guards. Tho Prince of Wales and Prime Arthur of Connaught attended a Privy Council, at which the now Ministers were sworn in. Afr Churchill drove straight from the Palace and took up his duties at Downing Street. Air Austen Chamberlain later took over the Foreign Office. . The only appointment announced is that of Commander B. Al. Cyres-Alon-sell. as Chief Whip. Mr Baldwin has gone to Chequers Court for the week-end. AH- Ramsay MacDonald has gono to Oxford for a holiday. Air .1. H. Thomas is already hack in the Railway Union headquarters.

LABOUR'S RECORD. LONDON. Nov. 9

Two Ministers. Alessrs William Graham and Ben Spoor, are appointed Privv Councillors. Mr MacDonald’s dissolution honours list is the shortest on record. It contains only five names. including Alessrs Graham's and Spoors’, as above, tlie others being a K.C.ALG. for Sir Cecil Hurst (legal advisor to the Foreign Office), and C.Y.O. for Messrs Wolford Selbv and Charles DulT (private secretaries to Air MacDonald at tlie Foreign Office and the Treasury).