BRITISH AFFAIRS

Hokitika Guardian, 3 September 1931, Page 5

BRITISH AFFAIRS

MR Rr MACDONALD. (United Press Aesoeiation —By Electric telegraph—Copyright). LONDON, September 2. Mr R. MacDonald in a letter to the Seeham Labour Party, regrets the resolution of the 29tli August was passed in ignorance of the tacts. The position of niy colleagues and myself is dictated by our determination to maintain the maximum standards of living and pay. Any action 1 take in response to any resolution 'will be only after I have finished my present duty. ’ CABINET’S CUTS. RUGBY, September 1. Questions of local Government are closely affected by the measures from national economy, and there are many signs that local administrative bodies are preparing to follow the lean of the Central Government. In the case of the London County Council, animal expenditure, of which is aboui 40 millions, proposals involving heavy expenditure are being held in abeyance, and economy plans are being prepared, and will be examined by a meeting of chairmen of tne . Council’s various committees. Several other local councils have set up economy committees, INCREASE IN UNEMPLOYED. LONDON, September 2. The “Daily Herald” features whan it calls “the menace of the False Thrift Mania.” The “Herald” complains that the Tory Municipalities throughout the country are making slashing cuts in expenditure and are setting up special economy committees. The “Herald” pleads that such zeal in economy' is valueless if it increases the number of the unemployed. Following up the “Herald’s” lead, Mr Greenwood, ex-Minister in an article entitled: “Too Dear Economy,” says: “Panic action has never saved any nation. It would be suicide to restrict the social services.” LIBERAL PARTY. LONDON, September 2. The National Liberal Federation, in reply to the proposal by the Trade Union Council to consider a revenue tariff, as an alternative to economies and to increased taxation has issued a manifesto stating that the salvation of the national credit at present is the supreme issue, though the federation believed that an abandonment of free trade would he a disaster almost. equal to a crash of sterling. The opinion is expressed that attention should be concentrated on the immediate issue. CABINET DELIBERATIONS. LONDON, September 2.The meeting of Cabinet this afternoon lasted three hours. It is understood that one whole section of the Government’s scheme is completed, and the progress made is regarded as satisfactory by ministers. p • The examination of the proposal for drastic economies necessary to meet the financial emergency, has concluded, and these have now been passed to the Parliamentary draftsmen, in preparation for the special session o: Parliament which will meet early. As further progress of business permits, there will he daily sessions of Cabinet until the scheme for balancing the budget is ready for presentation to Parliament .j ‘as a comprehensive whole, and at to-morrow’s meeting, a report of the finance sub-committee, which has been studying the taxation proposals, will come before Ministers. The first public statement of the Government plans in detail will be made in the Commons, and it is possible that at an early stage of the proceedings there will be a division, which will give th eCommons an opportunity to express confidence in the Government. This morning, the Prime Minister discussed with Mr Baldwin and Sir H. Samuel, the remaining Government appointment. The list is nearly complete, and probably will be ' published to-morrow. If is understood that the Prime Minister is greatly encouraged by the expressions of support which he continues to receive by post from all sections of the community and particularly by messages of sympathy and confidence from former fellow workers in early days of the British Labour movement. Two more Labour members of Parliament have indicated their support to Mr MacDonald in forming the National Government to deal with the financial crisis. One is Mr Graigie Atchison, Lord Advocate for Scotland, in the Labour Ministry, and member for Kilmarnock, who is to resume office, and the other, Sir Ernest Bennett, member for Cardiff Central.