BRITISH POLITICS

Hokitika Guardian, 28 September 1931, Page 5

BRITISH POLITICS

A GENERAL ELECTION.

United Press Association.—By Electric Telegraph.—Copyright. 1

LONDON, September 26

Regarding the question of the general election, the Conservative Party opinion seems to be more impressed with the urgency of an appeal to the electors. It-is contended by them that a new Parliament is an essential condition for a policy of bade reconstruction.

The official Liberal Party remains hosti.e to the holding of an election at present. There appears to be no likelihood of any agreement between the Conservatives and the Liberals. Their real cleavage is for the question of a tariff versus a free trade policy, despite the fact that an increasing number of Liberals are responding to sir J. Simon’s lead in favour of a tariff.

“An election before Christmas, would he Autumn madness, said one Liberal member of Cabinet, Sir I). Mac-Lean, speaking at Cornwall. “What would become of the pound sterling during the election turmoil? Who would safeguard the - country against the profiteer? As Mr Snowden lias announced that he \vill not be seeking re-election, the nation would be deprived at file most Critical moment cf the services of a trust* ed financial guardian and a great international figure respected and feared abroad.” The Leader of the Labour Party, Right Hon A. Henderson, speaking at Burnley, expressed amazement that the country should be plunged at this juncture in an election upheaval. The Conservatives were making a hysterical demand for an election they having thus quickly forgotten the national emergency.

LABOUR CANDIDATE. FOR MACDONALD’S SEAT. LONDON, September 26. The Seaham Labour Party are nominating a candidate next election. The sitting member is Mr Ramsay MacDonald. CABINET HEADS. A SUNDAY CONFERENCE. LONDON, September 26.

It is understood to have been arranged that Mr MacDonald, Mr Baldwin and Sir H. Samuel (Liberal), should confer at Chequers Court on Sunday. •The “Evening Standard” asserts that Mr MacDonald will announce the dissolution of Parliament on September 80th, and this will be followed by an immediate with tariffs and Empire trade policy fts the fhnifl issfiest

This announcement may he regarded “Intelligent anticipation.” So much has been written on this subject in the past fortm'ght that it seeing impossible that the elect’on can be staved off. Apart from one or two notnble exceptions the Press regards the appeal of tlie National Government- and the leadership of Mr MacDonald as a necessary evil. Mr MacDonald’s return from his holiday had the effect of increasing the anticipation, and most of the commentators pee in this the removal of all doubts that an early appeal will be made to the electors and endorse the “Evening Standard’s 1 ’ exclusive announcement in regard to September 30th. Neverthe'ess the position is in no wise definite.

It is reliably learned that the subject has not been discussed by Cabinet since the middle of last week, but it is almost certain that will be a prominent issue a/t Monday’s meeting.

The King is due to arrive in Lon don on Tuesday.

The Prime Minister returned to London yesterday after his short holiday in the country, which greatly refreshed him. Mr MacDonald attended the House of Commons and a meeting of Cabinet was held in his room. Afterwards he left for Chequers, to spend the week-end.

THE LABOUR PARTY. PARTY’S ANNUAL REPORT. LONDON, September 26. The recent sudden change in the Government has largely nullified the National Executive’s report for the Labour Party’s Conference at Scarborough on October sth, when it is disclosed, that five members of the Opposition dissented from Mr A. Henderson’s appointment as the Party Leader. The report pays a tribute to Mr MacDonald’s services to Labour, and regrets' his separation from Labour now. The report adds. “Bait a high sense of its duty to that unfortunate sect’on of the nation, and the unemployed whose welfare has ever been the special care ;;t the Labour Movement gave the Party no option but to oppose the policy of the new Government, no matter by whom, it might he lead or supported. The report says that unless the fresh means to obtain the necessary money are devised, an increasing number of Labour candidates must iefrnin from contesting by-elect'ons and for this reason, it is s""gested, that the Party’s by-election fund be placed on the compulsory basis. FREE TRADE MANIFESTO. (Deceived this day at 10.15 a.m.) LONDON, September 27. 0n,,. unUem-rar” nnlitical nerresnond-

ont says:—Toni Grey and Lloyd George decided if there was an immediate election to issue a strongly worded Free Trade manifesto charging Conservatives with making party capital out of the National emergency.