BRITISH POLITICS

Hokitika Guardian, 29 September 1931, Page 5

BRITISH POLITICS

“TIMES” FORECAST. (.United Press Association.—By Electric Telegraph.—Copyright.! LONDON, September 28. “The Times’s” political correspondent, says: “The decisive week lias arrived. The King returns from Balmoral Castle on Tuesday, September 29th. It is expected that a Privy Council will he held on Thursday, and tins week is likely to see the end of this Parliament. A dissolution of Parliament will probably take place next week.” PREMIER’S DECISION. LONDON, September 28. It is now anticipated that the Prim c Minister, Air MacDonald, at to-day’s Cabinet meeting, will acquaint bis colleagues of his decision regarding the question of a general election. -

LABOUR’S ELECTION POLICY. LONDON, September 28. The “Daily Herald’s” political correspondent declares that new efforts are being made to avoid an election at present, owing to the delicacy of the Indian Conference situation, and also to the Liberals’ revived activity against tariffs. However, the “Daily Herald” editorially admits that an early general election is likely. The ‘“Herald” adds that the control of the Bank of England and cue effective supervision of the joint stock banks will be loading planks in Labour’s election platform.

BRITISH ELECTION. LONDON, September 27. “The election is inevitable and cannot- be long delayed,” said Mr J. 11. Thomas, in a speech to Derby railwaymen, announcing that he intended to contest the seat under Mr MacDonald’s leadership. “It is important that foreigners should not be left in douno that an overwhelming mass of people in Britain support the National Government. It is madness to suggest problems, but the position of the trade balance is a danger signal which must be faced. I will face it, even if it- includes tariffs.” RUGBY, September 26., Public -interest in the political situation has greatly increased within the past few days, owing to the discussion which is proceeding on the question of the general election. It is generally recognised that the financial and economic situation demands a period ot steady reconstruction at home, and ' here is a wide -difference of opinion as to whether this will be more effectively achieved by a continuance in office of the present National Government, with 'the present Parliament, or by a Government supported, by an adequate majority in a new House after an appeal to the electorates, As Parliament must either prorogue or dissolve the week after next, an early decision on this question must bo reached,

Oft Monday, Mr Henderson in the Commons, will ask when the Government hopes to bring an end to this session.

The newspapers assume that the Prime Minister will, during the weekend, closely examine the situation, and his own position in regard to it. A further Cabinet meeting is fixed for Monday. ■ When the iStock Exchange opened for the second Saturday, since the recent decision to resume on Saturday mornings, there was a considerable falling off 'in business, and speculative share prices in particular weakened. British funds, were however, a better market. In the foreign exchange market, sterling on New York recovered from the early weakness, and improved on Paris.

The large volume of business transacted at the Manchester Royal Exchange during the week, led to the belief that the Lancashire cotton trade was on the level of a revival. A marked change in > tone is also reported from ether industrial centres, whose staple •trades depend largely on the export business. The seasonal improvement customary at this period of the year so far has been very slight, but there is now confident expectations that it will be accelerated; TEACHERS’ SALARY CUT. LONDON, September 27. Despite the 10 pei* cent, cut in teachers’ salaries, Mr - Roberts, President of 'the National Union of Teachers assures the Minister of Education that “there will be.no depreciation of the intrinsic value in the gold standard of the child life of the nation.” WHEN THE SESSION ENDS. (Received this day at 9.25 a.m) LONDON, September 28. In the Commons, Mr MacDonald asked Mr Henderson to repeat on Wednesday bis inquiry when session will end. _. „ The Liberal Shadow Cabinet, Sir 0. Samuel presiding, unanimously decided to oppose an immediate election, Tt is understood that the Party while adhering to the belief that free trade is still Britain’s best policy, will not oppose the temporary adoption of tariff measures, should the emergency demand them, in order to redress the- trade balance.