POLITICAL SUICIDE

Hokitika Guardian, 25 August 1931, Page 6

POLITICAL SUICIDE

FATE FOR MACDONALD AND SNOWDEN.

INTERESTING PARTICULARS.

[United Press Association—By Electrio Telegraph .—Copyright. ]

(Receivod this day at 12.26. p.m.) LONDON, August 24.

The “Sun-Herald’s”- political writer says ;—Mr MacDonald’s courageous stand enabled as much as anything, the National Government. He realised on Friday night that Cabinet’s fall was inevitable and knew the overthrowing of his colleagues meant in his own words, committing political suicide.

Mr Snowden recognised his fate was similar, and both accepted the consequences as a national duty for which the is now honouring them. Mr MacDonald’s break with his colleagues is also the. climax of a l° n g existing feud by Mr Henderson who throughout the negotiations deserted the Premier. ,/

Henderson, Alexander Johnson, Graham and other breakaway members of* the Cabinet intend to fight, tooth and nail, the dole cut issue at th e elections, which cannot be long delayed. Mr MacDonald’s political career will end when th e National Government concludes.

Mr Snowden retires at the end of the. year. - The “Times’* political. editor, says that the King played a most important, valuable part in the two last crowded days. When the' Conservative and ‘Liberal, leaders met Mr MacDonald at the Palace, the King first frankly discussed the situation,' after whieli he left them in' conference and returned after an hour and heard the result of their deliberations. He urged some official statement be issued before leaving the Palace, resulting in a communique announcing that a National Government under consideration, which immediately did much to reassure the world that an effective Government was in process of formation. CANDIDATE WITHDRAWS. LONDON. August 24. Somerset Brooke, Liberal candidate in the Guildford live-election, owing to the death of Mr Buckingham, announces his withrdawal, being his contribution to the success of the National Government.