BRITISH ELECTIONS

Hokitika Guardian, 4 June 1929, Page 6

BRITISH ELECTIONS

ADDITI ON A L RET URNS

LONDON, May 31. ' Additional reLurns are as follows: ROMFORD. ; H. T. Muggcridge (Labour) ... '31,045 0. Rhys Conservativ.e). Wood (Liberal)' ' DJio figures. A Labour gain. , KENNiINGTON;. } / L. W. Matters (Laboiir) yy.yy. 15,447 Harvey Conservative) ?£ 12,328 A Labour gain. -j, . ....., .. ... , ISLINGTON .EAST., ~..,, Or Ethel Bcntliiun.'' (Labour)- 15,109 ■Tasker (Conservative) ..,.13,041 Middleton (Liberal) 11,136 A Labour gain. .

OUR.HAM-BARNAItD CA STLE Lawther (Labour) 9,291 Colonel C. Headlam (Con.) 8,406 Spencer (Liberal) 4,402 A Labor gain! CARDIFF EAST. J. E. Edmonds (Labour) 13,813 Jones (Liberal)' 10,500 Sir P. Kinioch-Cooke (Con.) 9,563 A.Labour gain; ~ •? j. ' ij --fA. '•

; ; I . :• NORTHAMPTON, / ; V i*) C. L. Malone (Labour) 22,356 A. F. Renton (Conservative) .. 20,177 Miss Schiljizzi (Liberal) 11,054 • 1 MILE END. John Scure (Labour) 11,489 Dodge (Conservative) 7,401 Teff (Liberal) 5,525

GLASGOW-HILLHE AD. Sir Robert Horne (Con.) 17,395 W. S. Cormaek (Labour); ...... 10,065 FARNHAAI

A.. 11.. Samuel (Conservative) .. 21,050 J. W. Todd (Liberal) 9,208 La leer (Labour) 4,806 ~ • CHELMSFORD.’ Howard Bury'(Conservative) .. 17,094 Robinson (Liberal/' 1 13,004 Moller (Labour) 8,910 SOUTH MOLTON George Lambert (Liberal) ... 15,072 Drew (Conservative) 13,507 Messel (Labour’) 2,8/J A Liberal gain. ANGLESEY.

Miss Megan Lloyd George (Li be/ni!j) 13,181 Mr Edwards .(Labour) , 7,503 Mr iiuglies (Conservative) ... 5,917 ROSS AND CROMARTY. lan Macpherson (Liberal) ... 9,504 Mr Hugh Mclntosh (Labour) ; G,71( Mr Mclntosh was formerly of Sydney.

THE FINAL FIGURES. . LABOR’S LEAD. LONDON, Juno 1. Groat Britain’s record election, a record in size of the electorate, numbers of candidates, lavishuess of expenditure and the novelty ol electioneering methods, has resulted in a stalemate. The Labourites return to Westminster the largest party in the State, but failed to secure a decisive., majority over all the other parties. The Liberals hold: the balance of power, Following are the figures. Labour 287 Conservatives 254 Liberals 57 Independent 8 With nine seats yet to be decided, public and press are eagerly discussing how the verdict will find expression in the House of Commons, but the new Parliament is not due to meet until June 25th. Events therefore may not ■be hurried, esimeially 'in view of the King’s renewed illness. It may be regarded as certain that all parties wiTI unite in case of necessity, in adopting a course most likely to spare His Majesty anxiety oV trouble. The Crown never stood higher in the affections of the masses of the people than today. This does not imply that Labour is likely to be slow iir claiming office.

' j ©~ THE COMPLETE POLL o LABOUR DEFINITELY LEADS WHAT WILL MR BALDWIN DO v.-.H 3Ks #- — VARIOUS VIEWS ' -—■ : (United Press Association—By Electric Telegraph—Copyright).

Mr Baldwin is now at Chequers, having a mudi needed rest, lie will eonl'er with his colleagues early in the week. The Prime Minister’s alternatives are lo resign immediately, or meet Parliament and leave the late of the Government in the hands of the House; in other words in the hands of lli’e Liberals!I’The 1 ’The chief ~ argument

hguijiisii. ‘ the former course .is that though "the Government suffered .defeat, at the polls', there is yet a definite iurti-Gociai.ist majority in the. Commons/ therefore Mr Baldwin is.being urged to carry on in which event lie must patch up tlie ministry, which suffered the /loss of seven members, nbtably Sir Steel Maitland, and Sir T. liiskip mid Mr Dull' .Cooper. .

• It is regarded as certain that when Parliament meets, the Labourite. Mould defeat the Government. On the other hand, if the Liberals support Labour, Mr MacDonald could no doubt carry oil. At all events, another general election within a few weeks is unthinkable, and as “Daily Telegraph” observes, in all probability, it would settle nothing.

-MR MncDONALD’S WELCOME

Air. Ramsay .MacDonald had a remarkable reception on arrival at London from Sea ham. Harbour, where Ire had, the largest majority of any .constituency in Britain. Tovv-ards-the hour at which ,the train ,was .due, all . streets round, King’s Cross were impassable. A platoon of police managed to protect thq Labour Leader,;, who reached' his home at Hamstcad. worn out, craving only for sleep. Both lie and Air Lloyd George are now resting at home. The, latter will in a few days be consulting (iis supporters. It is understood that Mr AlucDpnakl has. already, drafted his ministry.

The aggregate votes, polled were:— . Conservatives 8,536,835 Labour 8,317,025 Liberal 5,226,014 Others 307,931

CONTEST 'REVIEWED. •.. " . ; LONDON,. June,. 1. ; Tt.inay npw be useful to review sonic aspects of .the’ elec, ion itself. Generally ‘.speaking, the Government , lost -jbiispiviwiusly’.,throughout the . 'industrial ..districts and residential towns and the suburbs, Labourites call these latter “dormitory” divisions.” Altogether over 130 Commoners will not return to the House, while at least 115 candidates forfeited deposits, failing to secure the requisite one-eighth >t the votes polled. The returned include thirteen wo.m----n, namely three Conservatives, nine Labourites and one Liberal, who is Miss Megan Lloyd George. The new /.louse will certainly be more a family affair than ever before.

It is interesting to’ recall that Laoour only, had eleven representatives ill the Parliament of 1900. It secured ;2’iii 1905 and foil back to 40 in 1910, rose to 02 in .1918, then in 1922 142,. and 1923 191, and 1924, 150. The Labourites, at this election, arc probably higher in intellectual average ’ban formerly. Many able men and women are among the, new members. All parties are naturally closely analysing the poll figures. It is admitod that the British electoral, system has many anomalies. A of the votes cast certainly shows more Conservative votes than Labour, -hough fewer scats.

LABOUR LEADER’S SURVEY. LONDON, June 1. After the declaration of the Seaham poll, Mr Ramsay MacDonald addressed a vast audience, before going to London.

Mr MacDonald made a survey of the Held of battle. He said: “Tilings are changing! I am proud to ho associated with you in that change. Did ever Labour people live in such an inspiring moment, or think that they ever could see Labour above the Tory and double (the Liberal polls? It won’t lie all beer and skittles, especially for me. You have finished the fight. 1 am beginning to bear the harden, but I am doing it cheerfully, with your backing through thick and thin. M hen I saw the women—marching .to the jMill with happy faces, proudly wearing our colours, I visioned the result. I knew it was all right!”

NO EARLY ELECTION. LONDON, June 1. Mr Ramsay MacDonald, interviewed, said: —“ Jlf I can prevent it, there will

lie no disturbance of the country by an election for two years. 1 am most concerned with the quiet development of industry, a peaceful mind, and confidence at home and abroad. This Parliament should last even longer, but we are 'not going to submit to unfairness, or to start any monkeying. It Wi'.i rest with the the other parties .whether there will be an early election. Any Governeut responsible Tor the national ‘affairs at this time should he allowed to develop its policy. The way mat my foreign policy was broken in 1924 should 'not recur. • I was only able to start it, and leave it to others to develop. They did that regarding the Locarno Pact and the admission of Germany to the League. Then they •dropped ft. I shall exchange views with my colleagues during the weekend.”

Mr Philip Snowden, after declaring that his most sanguine hopes had been realised, said: “ This is not mere l.y the eclipse of the Conservative Party, but it probably foreshadows the eclipse o'f Mr Baldwin himself as its leader.

LABOUR PRESS DEMAND

"LONDON, June 1

In view of the fact, that Labour has now the largest party in the House of Commons, special interest has attached to the Labour “Daily Herald’s” loader on the results. It says:—

“ Before the swift tide off democratic .indignation the mighty Tory majority which resulted from the'Pßed Letter” lie; of 1924, lias beep smashed to atoms, and' Liberalism has definitely been rejected. As for the Communists, the workers have meted out the spittle o 1 contempt upon them. .We hope that the. Third International are satisfied with their tally of forfeited deposits.” It continues: “Air Baldwin’s duty is ;plain. He must resign, abd allow the country-’s chosen leader to take up the work of 1924. .Doubtless, behind the scenes th old Parties will soon bo up to their necks in squalid bargainings. AVo do not resent tbis, because we have always contended that it was the figlit of Labour against the rest. The oif events must eventually drive the real 'Polios and Liberals into the same camp.’”

LABOUR WANTS OFFICE

LONDON. June 1

Only one newspaper,, in the whole country -appears satisfied with the result of the general .election. That is Labour’s “ Daily .Herald.?’ Even it is sorry that Air AlaeDouald lacks a few more," .jienchmen in opder to have real power, j; : w; • , _)lr,i (Baldwin's plain duty, says, the “...Daily Herald,” ,is.,to. .resign in order tliqt ;,Atf A,iaeDa.i,iaidj', ? the people’s chosen pleader, may take,' up the. work which Capitalist, ,intrigue brought to ail, end in 1924. . Bel.iipd the scenes., attempts will doubtless, he made to deprive Labour of its heritage, but as far as Labour is, concerned it will go steadily .oh, ip.. sure knowledge that at no distant, date the banner o'f Socialism will be carried to that final victory whereof the presnt triumph is only an interlude. . . .. .

, Air 'MiicDopaid, .interviewed by the “Sunday Times,” said: 4 think that the Labour Party, t being the largest of the three, ought to be the one to .. . , ft!, -.. , I ,i form the Government,

! , V/L IB ER AL COMM ENTS.

MR/LV GEORGE’S' ASSURANCE

’ June 1. Mr Llovd George .'returned to London from Carnarvon ‘ to-night. He said: ‘No party has done as well as it expected. It would he silly for the Liberals to pretend that we have realised our expectations. We have again been tripped up by the triangle, The holding of the balance is a very responsible position. We fully realise it and you can depend that we shall not make an unfair use of it. We certainly shall not use it in a haggling spirit. We shall careiully consider what host .should he done in the interests of Hie. country.”

Mr. Lloyd C-orge will consult his colleagues at the week-end.

A BETTER. PARLIAMENT.

LONDON, June 1

The “ Daily News ” says: “ jhe new Parliament will lie a very different one from the old Parliament, and it will in almost every respect be a far better one. We differ, in certain respects, •from the Labour policy, just as we reject some nostrums of Conservatism, but, taken broadly, the result of the election will make for healthier and more honest politics. It will end the sordid intrigues to impose protection under an alias, and will mean the adoption of a more energetic peace policy. It will make impossible the cruel, indolent apathy with which the misery of unemployed has been for years regarded by the Government. 1 ’

It adds: “The new Parliament may not lie perfect, but it will lie a true reflection of the country’s real opinion than was the old.”

115 LOST DEPOSITS

LONDON, June 1

One hundred and. fifteen candidates forfeited the deposits, namely thirtyfour Labourites, thirty-one Liberals, twenty-one Communists and twelve others. Only three of the Communists candidates avoided forfeiting their deposits. The Labour candidate in the Abingddn electorate, Berkshire, to save his deposit had to poll votes, and the lack of only three-quarters of ope vote has cost him his deposit of 1:120.

j Ml- Thomas Gee, who stood as “Workers’ candidate” for Wcdnes-

bury, polled only sixty-one, wfiicfi is tie smallest total anywhere.

A COSTLY AFFAIR

LONDON, June 1. Eighty per cent of the electors voted

ft is estimated that the cost of the election to all o'f the parties- is 62,200,000. It is stated that the election cost the Li Moral party ,6800,000.

EFFECT ON ’CHANGE. LONDON, June 1. The Conservative Party’s debacle has not greatly affected the Stock 'Exchange so far as gilt-edged securities are concerned, the only result at present being a dullness, with an occasional decline. The dealers are marking time until the final results are known, but industrials weakened all round, though not yet to any serious extent.

TOO SELF-SATISFIED

LONDON, June 1

.Mi- J. L. Garvin, in the “Observer,” who long warned the Government against alienating Liberal support, wherefrom it secured the huge majority in 1924, now declares: A great party has been plunged in ruin in the name of safety first. It is useless to blame any particular .Minister. The whole atmosphere of the Cabinet was to blame. It was ‘ a Cabinet of complacency. Never; d,id a -Cabinet more admire itself. It 'contained an' unusual proportion of men not visibly inspired. Air Baldwin ignored all entreaties to reconstruct it.

LABOUR’S PLANS

LONDON, June 3

'Pimes states: The National Executive of the Labour Party meets during the coming week to hear the opinions of the Party Leaders, especially Air AlacDonald’s, and to, shape the policy, enabling the Labour Party to assume office, and to maintain itso.l therein for the two years that are essential to the maturing of Labour's plans, ami ensuring the introduction ol two Budgets. If the second Budget is not carried, they will go to the country thereon; hut it is necessary, in this connection, to have either the Liberals’ support or their benevolent neutrality. Consequently Labour is most likely to choose from its programme the measures which the Liberals favour, and to postpone the definitely socialistic legislation until a more convenient time.

Al,mister of Labour—Rt. Hon Tom

LONDON, June 2

The “Daily Herald” publishes an exclusive interview with Air Ramsay MacDonald. It covers several points which can be crystallised as follows: “Air Baldwin should lose no time in telling the country what he is going to do. Labor claims that it is the only alternative Government. Labour holds .and is., going to keep the initiative.”

LABOUR CABINET

PROBABLE PERSONNEL

LON DON, J une 3.

The Daily Express says: Air AlacDonald lias framed his main Cabinet appointments in the event of bis being called upon to form a Alinistry. They are- as follows:

Lord privy Seal—Rt. Hon A. Hen*

dorson. <Jliaiicel lor oi‘ tJie Exchequer—Rt. lion I*. Snowden. Secretary * for Foreign Affairs—lit. Hon J. H. 'J'lioma.s. -•.muster of War—Dr li. Dalton. Lord President of the CouincJ — Baron Arnold. Air -Minister —Lord Thomson. -Minister of alxmr —iit. lion Tom Shaw, witlr Miss Susan Lawrence as Parliamentary Secretary for Labour. Minister of Heaitlr—Mr A. Greenwood, with -Miss Handheld as Parliamentary Secretary lor Health. President of tiie Board of Trade—lit. Hon Will. Graham. Minister of Agriculture—lit. Hon Noel Buxton. Minister in Charge of the Overseas Trade Office (of which the importance will be increased) —Mr A. V. Alexander. Minister of Education—Rt. Hon Sir G; P. Trevelyan. Secretary for the Dominions—Mr T. Johnston. Secretary for India—Baron Olivier. Minister for Pensions—lit. Hon F. 0. Roberts. Secretary for Scotland —lit. Hon W. -luamson. Chancellor of the. Duchy of Lancaster and representative at the League of Nations—Sir Oswald Mosley. Lord Chancellor—Lard Parnicor. Attorney-General—Sir H. Sleeser. Solicitor-General—Viscount Melviile or Mr Ho] ford Knight. Other appointments may be—lit. Hon J. "Wedgwood, Commander Kenworthy, Mr Jowctt, Mr Lees Smith, Mr Kennedv and Miss Wilkinson.

“THE TIMES” TALKS

LONDON, June 3

The Times says: The outstanding fact of the election is that Labour will form the next Government, -by virtue of their having the largest lollowing in the House of Commons. That is the nation’s manifest intention. Labour may dismiss the suspicion that the Conservatives are fabricating an unholy alliance for tnc purpose of obstructing it. "Whether Mr Baldwin resigns, or awaits dismissal by the House of Commons, in three weeks’ time is of relatively small importance. Mr Baldwin himself probably feels that, even to api>oar to hesitate, is like a batsman questioning the uw-

pire’s decision. The arguments, pro and con on the subject of his immediate resignation are closely balanced. There can be no question ol' seeking Liberal support to prolong tile life of the Government, thoug'l? the signs of it in certain sections ot the press would be as welcome to certain nervous souls as it would be io tadpoles and tapers who haunt muddy waters.

.Mr Lioyd George can effectually put the Socialists into power. The method and manner of their assuming power that there should be no suspicion of manoeuvres afoot to rob Labour of matters little but what does matter is the fruits of its victory.

LABOUR READY

LONDON, June 2

Some quarters are inclined to see in Mr MacDonald’s gestures a bait for Liberal co-operation, thereby letting him tackle the unemployment.

Mr Philip.Snowden says that Mr Lloyd George pinched Labour’s scheme for reducing the workless. Whether this is true or not, Mr MacDonald has since ascribed the de-. feat of the Conservatives to their failure to grapple with this greatest humanitarian issue, l'e says that if a Labour Ministry ta;-'<“s the front bench ' it will shoulder this task immediately.

Whether or not this is a " ditieal straw, showing the way of tin- wind, is matter of mere conjecture.

Having disposed of the affair m the ballot box, the. country seems next intent on having its relaxation on Derby Day, till when nothing • may happen politically. BALDWIN'S DECISION. TO RESIGN. LONDON,-.June 3. Mr Unldw.in has decided to resign.