The Guardian And Evening Star, with which is incorporated the West Coast Times. THURSDAY, NOVEMBER 27th, 1924.

Hokitika Guardian, 27 November 1924, Page 2

The Guardian And Evening Star, with which is incorporated the West Coast Times. THURSDAY, NOVEMBER 27th, 1924.

BRITISH R KPR ESEXTATIOX. It has taken the serious turn cf events in regard to Egypt to stir up the political situation at Home. Till that tindesirable event tame to pass, the new Government held office with very little adverse comment, while there was an absence generally of Labor criticism of the successors to office. Doubtless the cause of the silence was the magnitude of the Conservative victory. It seemetj 'to silence almost- nil criticism.

| 'I In-re was. however, something said about, the representation gained on the '■asi.s of the votes east at the polls, hut this did not cot. much ice heeau.se Labor ill olliee hail not attempted to . 1 emed.v the electoral system to meet the possible situation which arose whereby both Labor and Liberals did not have io|»K*si*ntativo strength in proportion to the Votes east in their favor. The fortunes of the political battle were with Mr P.aldwin who rules now with a very substantial majority. In the Ivgyptin.ii situation there is the opportunity for the Conservatives to ) lay the strong hand they would he expected to play in the matter of a phase of the ' foreign policy. That is. the Conservatives have been credited always of being ready to maintain Mritisli prestige, and not readily to .submit to indignities. ? There is of course expected to bo reason in all action, and (lie Consorvnt.ivo action in regard to Kgypt will be closely canvassed from within ami without the party. The early meeting of Parliament will allord the* nppnrtuuitv for • a free ei it icisiii ol the Government’s .ic4ion. and we may take it the oppor- • limitv will not be neglected. At the ■same time there will he the chance to ventilate the Government position very clearly, and probably matters clcnihtlul and cliMietllt will be explained. Had the present t ireiinistaiii c.» arisen under ' thc> Labor Government ice should have expected Mr MacDonald to net with the same degree ol dignity as he showed before when handling the subject. W bile' in power in* made a x|'c. ial study of foreign relations, and his contribution to the coming debate in the Commons will met hc> without wide public interest. No doubt the full explanation of matters discussed at the- late visit of tin l Egyptian Premier to I.onion will l,e ventilated, and Mr MacDonald will [iiid himself in honor hound to that policy, lie very properly eonsuited I lie Defenc e ( niliinitlcv whic h had the advice' and views of General Alienin' on the matters, and the Prime Minister was no doubt inlhionccd by the information then foi tlieomiiig. li was of value therefore' that the Labor leader should have s.i close an insight into the position, which gave the Rrit isli tepresonf ation an addl'd value. Another .subject of foteign interest to crop it;i at llii' coming session tv ill lie the' Eiiinvieff letter, which has been regarded as the immediate cause of the T/ihor overthrow. I lore* again, .Mr MacDonald bad the opportunity tn look closely into the position, and in the light of the' fuller informal ion now available, the altitude of Labor will he ol interest. The point seems to leave been that Labor was elangerouslv amenable to Communist inllilences and it was the recognition of this which brought about the general election, and its decisive result. Now that the 'Conservatives have the position of authority, if is evident they will he called upon to determine knotty problems. The Egyptian issue lias eiuni' to the surface sooner than was expected, hut in a maimer which" will help the Government to deal with it more determinedly. On the Russian treaty it. lias made up its mind also, yet both subjects will cause serious debate in the House. The decision of Parliament can lie anticipated without doubt. The Government will obtain the mandate , it asks for to enforce its views in the , manner it thinks best.