BRITISH POLITICS

Hokitika Guardian, 7 October 1931, Page 5

BRITISH POLITICS

COMING ELECTION. [United Press Association,—By Electric Telegraph.—(Jopynght. | LONDON, Octbocr 5. The “.Daily Telegraph's” political correspondent emphasises that to-day’s moves have nowise affected the dates lie has given for the election which are as follows Thursday, October Bth, Dissolution of Parliament; Saturday October 17th, the Nominations; Wednesday, October 28th, Polling Day. However great or small may lie the Liberal support accorded to the National Appeal, says the writer, these dates will remain unaltered. lie states that the Conservatives, Liberals, and Soeialiss have already egnn to write their election address es, while Mr Baldwin will address a “pass” meeting of Conservatives at

Birmingham on Friday. His speech will mark the opening of the compaign on behalf of the National Government.

The “Daily Telegraph” writer adds that Mr Lloycl 1 George has refused to move from his positiofi that an election is unnecessary. As a result, it is expected that a number of the Liberals ©will resign from the Government.

THE CABINET'S LATER HOUR DECISION,

LONDON, October 6

The Cabinet's meeting continued until midnight, when it is understood an agreement was reached without dissensions in favour of an immediate election, the . basis of which will be a manifesto. The Prime Minster will make a statement in the House of Commons on Wednesday. After the Cabinet’s meeting, the Liberal Ministers met and decided to continue in office. LABOUR CONFERENCE. LONDON, October 5 Cheers, the waving ot agenda pipers, and the singing of “He’s a Jolly Good Fellow” greeted Bt. Hon Arthur Henderson (Leader) when he rose to address the Labour Party’s Conference.

The Reverend Mr C. Stephen M P. for the Colmachio seat, Glasgow) shouted: “He’s not a jolly good fellow!! He is n better than MacDonald.”

This caused an uproar, and threats of “Throw out the Scottish delegates!” Mr Henderson said he was opposed to any attempt to hold an inquest on the attitude of the ex-Members of the Cabinet in the late crisis, and especially as to whether it were true they had no alternative policy, and also as to wheher they hud agreed to the WUgG CtlfeS oh the sblcllers, sailors ahd the tenehm-s;

The Conference rejected a demand made for a further examination concerning this aspect. -y A dispute developed regarding Mr Kirkwood’s demand for the withdrawal of the .Party National Executive’s recommendation that Mr J. McGovern, (Labour M.P. for Shottleston, Glasgow), was not fit to represent Labour in the House of Cinmons, owing to his recent suspension.

Mr Kirkwood urged that Air McGovern was at present in prison owing to his activities on. behalf of Labour, and he added that the Independents would regard the withdrawal of his ex-communication as a friendly act.

The Conference, however, rejected this proposal. Mr Maxton ’ thereupon .shouted: “This is an injustice!”

Mr Maxton, referring to tl'-e “discipline” resolution, said that it had expelled him from the Labourities after his twenty-seven years’ loyal work. Mr Maxton announces that the Independent Labourites are able to finance contests for twenty-four seats without the assistance of the Labour Party. LABOUR’S ELECTION FUND. RUGBY, October 5. The financial situation of the Labour Party as revealed by the balance sheet published to-day, is causing son?© anxiety to the Executive, i There 'is a considerable deficit, and the Executive will ask the Party’s Conference for an increase in the affiliation fees from 3d to 4d per member, or for repetition the previous levy. AUSTRALIA’S EXAMPLE. QUOTED BY EX-GOVER NOR - GENERAL. Lord Stonehaven (Chairman of the Party), in a lively ad- [ dress at the Authors’ Club, spoke on imperial problems. He emphasised that there was now a new orientavion in,Australia. There was a realisation there bv the average man and woman that Australia had of recent years been living in a false paradise. He remarked : “The‘Englishman can only pray that the same realisation will come here. The particular type of difficulty which Britain is facing is mast pronounced in those parts of the Empire, where Parliament has token * the biggest hand in interfering with the lives of the people. When I reA turned from Australia in December last, it was perfectly obvious that we were following straight down the road ■which landed Australia in a mess; but Australia, has shown an amazing capafor pulling herself together. She *'lias displayed national self sacrifice which Britain may well copy when seeking a- way out of her existing troubles.”