BRITISH POLITICS

Hokitika Guardian, 7 October 1931, Page 5

BRITISH POLITICS

ELECTION DAY. DISSOLUTION WILDLY CHEERED. (United Press Association.—-By Electric Telegraph.—Copyright.)

LONDON, October 6. The House of Commons announced the election day for October 27. The new Parliament will probably mo.t the third week in November.

Mr R. MacDonald, definitely contests Sea ham. Mr R, MacDonald in a statement said —“I remain n Labour member and fight as a Labour candidate.” Mr J. 11. Thomas said he would light for Derby even though lie had to break down the machine lie personally created.

Mr Snowden goes to the House of Lords after the elections. ' The Labour Conference wildly cheered the dissolution announcement. Cheers were also given fqr the Socialists ‘‘‘Our •Campaign” led by Messrs Lausbury and Henderson. The singing of the Red Flag followed.

MR J. H. THOMAS. V

VIEWS PROSPECTS BRIGHTLY

(Received this day at 10.15 a.m.) LONDON) October 6.

Mr J. H. Thomas, in Conference with Dominion journalists, immediately after the announcement of the dissolution, said:—“l admit things are black and difficult, but when I look round at the world’s position I take a mire optimistic view of our situation than ever before. Though off the gold standard we are still the world’s greatest banking centre and bank institutions are sound. Furthermore with regard to the wealth contained in the Empire, none of us need lie apprehensive of the future. Our scientific developments of coal would soon make, us independent of foreign oil. What pleased me mostduring the crisis was that the Dominions, without excepton, accepted the situation knowing we did the right thing giving every possible help. He advocated an early election as the best answer to the foreigner and even some remote Britishers, who regarded the Government a.s unstable, and the best guarantee of the country’s stability. He was emphatically against inflation.”

KING’S APPROVAL. RECEPTION IN COMMONS. LABOUR’S PREPARATIONS. (Received this day at 11.15 a.m.) LONDON, October 6. With the certainty of an impending election, the Commons was less than half filled, during a lifeless question time, in which Mr MacDonald yielding to Mr Alexander’s entreaty told members that the King had granted hits request for a dissolution, The announcement was received with surprising tameness. There were ao cheers from the Labour benches. Members instead trooped into the lobbies, arranging to scamper to their constituencies for a 'short, sharp fight. By contrast, there were the wildest scenes when the announcement was made at the Labour Conference at Scarborough. After Mr Henderson had revealed the date of polling, Mr Lansbury jumped on the platform and began singing the Red Flag, in which delegates and onlookers joined, and which was repeated again and ugam. • The Chairman announced the Conference would not disperse before Mr Henderson, “the future Prime Minister, enunciated the campaign programme. It was Mr Thomas who first revealed that Mr MacDonald had decided to fight Seaham, at which some admirers are nervous, and think he should have chosen a safe seat, but it was pointed out that Mr MacDonald was considerably heartened by bis reception, cabled on 2nd October.

Optimists suggest that his personal popularity, plus the cause he is espous. ing, will carry Mr MacDonald through, but at the same time it is recognised that he cannot personally devote much time to his constituency, because he is not only determined to keep in close touch with financial circles in London, but intends to go to Mr Thomas’s, and also to his son Malcolm s electorates, to help them in their stiff fights, A MANIFESTO. Mr MacDonald sets the ball rolling to-morrow night at 9.-0 by broadcasting a manifesto by wireless, on which he was busy at five o’clock this morning. It is drafted on the broadest lines., The manifesto is not expected to contain a definite tariff pledge, but will appeal to the electorate for art open mandate to solve the country s crisis as day to day developments necessitate. The fact that there is no agreed formula, led to a speculation as to bow Conservatives and Liberal clashes will be avoided, to permit repetition of Labour’s many minority successes in 1929, but it is understood that local organisations will be urged to arbitrate for the purpose of ensuring a straight out fight against Labour. Meanwhile the work of the Indian Conference will proceed without interruption. I Mr MacDonald and Und San key are j maintaining close official contact there, I with.