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Hokitika Guardian, 12 November 1924, Page 2

The Baldwin Ministry is oxciting most discussion because of the presence of Mr 'yVinston Churchill and Lord Bir-

kcnhoad. They arc both strong men in the expression of political views and world asseit themselves naturally in any conclave. Also they possess something of the radical bent, and arc not l;y any means ldtra-Tory. They should he useful, if not good, lieutenants for the Prime Minister who has the disposition we believe to throw off a good deal of the Conservative manner, and he more democratic in his healing. As Chancellor of the Kxche(|iier and as Secretary of State for India, .the two Ministers referred to •specially will find their activities <onlined to two important portfolios exacting in each instance much careful attention. In other respects the new Cabinet follows mainly the ordinary composition associate 1 with the Conservative elnnce of .Ministers. There are several familiar names. It will he a strong and a sound Ministry so fains the main features of the Conservative policy as accepted generally aie concerned. In that rcs| eel it was what the elci tors ashed for by their voting. The (loverninent has a mandate which Mr Baldwin will exercise no doubt, and

the newspaper criticism at this stage cannot alter the lad. I lit? I’liine Minister had the authority from the clcclo;s to do as lie wished, an.l Mr Baldwin has character enough to not opt that responsibility in the right spirit. He would not on this occasion seek to rule for a fall by making any serious mistakes in the appointment of his colleagues. He has had his experience in that resped, and will profit by it. lie has his mind made up no doubt as to his line of general policy, and lie "ill have selected his eo-.Ministe-.s with that in view. f>n this line of deduction it is not surprising to see Mr ( Imrdiill and Lord Birkenhead associat'd .

him. for their help "ill he use!ill tounsel in a Cabinet "here the details of a more advanced national polity are formulated. The net'll for this help in regard to inimrtnnt- details of policy seems to he the most convincing ex-

planation ol the presence ol the two strong radical Ministers in the British Cabinet.

As to the British political policy we must wait till the short session comes about and the formal forecast is made. It is conceivable, however, that there will he an element of progressive legislation. The Government will have recognised that apart from what, is demanded. force of circumstances require special attention to domestic allaiis relating to industry, employment ami housing in particular. As to the !'■- reign relations it will he Itumtl mosi probably, that in general the Governnicnt. except in regard to Russia, "ill leave matters where Mr Ramsay MacDonald had carried them. This will be so. no doubt, in regard to the rolajjons with .France ami the negotiations for the tarrying out of the Dawes puin of settlement with Germany. In the |vet. ami India, including of eonuse. Fgvpt. Mr Ramsay MacDonald billowed the orthodox lines ol the accepted British policy, and the Baldwin Aliliistrv is not likelv to depart Horn the line ol action taken, which was a; proved so generally. In regard t" detente matters, and notably in relereiit<■ to the Singapore question the (luveriinieiit is likely to take an aHi mint ive attitude. With this latter matter is hound up the attitude of the new (loverninent to the overseas Dominions. Roth Au--tra li. i and New /calami are core: mil io the d'leiicc of the I'ncilic and this part ol ihe Umpire "ill he interested Io the iinloldiiig of the proposed | ohAll parts of the Fill pile "ill he closelv interested in any prnmiuiiceiiii lit aflecting the question of prcletenro • oversea products. The I'nited Kingdom is the accepted market for the DillK of this country’s primary products. and tariff rcbnin if it comes to I as-, "ill touch our trade very ioiiuiately. The policy to he brought forward must he adopted to the circui: stances of the times. These fall

particular for the closest attention to the hot t" 1111 <■i 1 1 of Home a Hails. There 1.-; great lie d lor ibis, lirst he,-an," of the range of iiii"Uiplo.vm"ul and -

ond because of the incubus ol laxalioi the country is rallying. Domestic limiters must thcrdorc prevail and the (lovcrumciil has the voting power to secure the passage of its legislation so that there should he improving times for the Old Country.