BRITISH POLITICS

Hokitika Guardian, 24 August 1931, Page 5

BRITISH POLITICS

KING’S HURRIED RETURN. [United Press Association.—By Electric 3 Telegraph^—Copyright]. LONDON, August 23. Ow'ing to the political crisis His Majesty the King is returning to London from Balmoral Castle. He is arriving at Euston Station this (.Sunday) morning, and is mctjring to Buckingham Palace. GOVERNMENT’S CRITICAL POSITION The whole of the press agrees that the political situation is a most critical one. . The Government’s position on Friday night was precarious. DEFENCE FORCES CUTS, ALL WORK TO STOP. LONDON, August 22. The “Daily Mail” says: The Governraen tlias ordered the suspension of all' the War Office works and services at Home and abroad. Thi s will result in a saving of from two to fcqr millions sterling a year. 1 It is understood thatsimilar instructions have been issued to the Admiralty, the Air Force and the Office of Works.

BANK OF ENGLAND REQUEST.

RUGBY, August 21

A. Treasury minute was published to-night giving authority to the Bank of England to issue fiduciary bank notes to a total of £275,000,000 for a further period of three weeks. The minute says that the bank represented to the Chancellor of the Exchequer that it was expedient to maintain the increase iin the fiduciary note issue.

CABINET’S SCHEME

NOW FINALISED

LONDON, August 23

The Cabinet met at 9.30 a.m. yesterday and adjourned for luncheon at 12.10 p.m.

Immediately afterwards, the Prime Minister, Mr Ramsay MacDonald, requested the Opposition leaders to visit Downing Street. Mr Neville Chamberlain, Sir S. Hore, Sir D. Mac Lean, and Sir H. Samuel arrived within a few minutes to interview Mr MacDonald and Mr Snowden.

An official statement was issued later as follows: “The Cabinet has been putting the finishing touches on a scheme which, it is believed, will meet the situation. They meet to hear the results to-morrow.’’

TRADERS’ DEMAND

LONDON, Aug. 22

The National Chamber of Tvade, including one hundred thousand traders have sent an address to Mr Ramsay MacDonald and Mr Philip Snowden, and also the Opposition leaders demanding real economy. “The Times” says:— Thirty members of the London Common Council have petitioned the Lord Maj oi to convene the Corporation to appeal to Mr MacDonald to relieve the distressed state of the people and to restore international confidence.

CONFERRING WITH KING. LONDON, August 23. It is officially stated from Downing Street that on Mr MacDonald’s advice, lijs Majestry has asked Mr Baldwin and Mr Samuel to see him, oceans© he wished to hear from them the position of the respective parties. It is understood these audiences have no relation to any possibility of the Government’s resignation.

Mr MacDonald explained to His Majesty the situation according to his own impressions and suggested the Opposition leaders should have similar opportunities. MR MacDONALD LEAVES PALACE. (Received this day at 9.25 a.m] LONDON, August 23. A large crowd broke loose and surged round Mr MacDonald as he left the Palace after an hour’s audience. He was apparently cheerful. . POLITICAL LEADERS. LONDON, August 23. Mr Baldwin and the principal Conservatives met in the morning. A liberal shadow Cabinet meets in the afternoon.

PREMIER VISITS KING. STATEMENT TO-NIGHT. (Received this dnv at 10.15 a.m.) LONDON, August 23. Cabinet met at seven to-night. Mr MacDonald leaving No. 10 Downing Street by a backdoor, visited His Majesty at 10.15. and remained for less than half an hour. He returned to Downing Street where he saw Mr Samuel. Cabinet dispersed at 10.50 p.m. A statement will he issued to-night. CROWDS GATHER. TiONDON, August 23. Not since the opening of the general strike, have such crowds filled Downing Street as were present to-nigl)?, owing to ‘the ouickenino- of public interest, chiefly by the King’s dash to London.

The precincts of Buckingham Palace throughout the day were surrounded by people while Whitehall and Downing Street were never normal. Sunday was quiet in appearance but by the evening the crowds were dense, both in Downing Street and outside the Palace. Ministers had the greatest difficulty in elbowing their way to No. 10. Miss Bondfield was held up by a constable niul not allowed to pass till she explained that she was a member ot the Cabinet. More police had to he -called up to handle the throng. It was eventually decided to take the unusual course of clearing the whole street.