BRITISH POLITICS.

Hokitika Guardian, 4 November 1931, Page 6

BRITISH POLITICS.

(United Press Association.—By Electric Telegraph.—Copyright.) LONDON,' November 3.

The usual race to he the first Member of the House of Commons to arrive at the House of Commons to claim his seat jn readiness for the - first meeting of the new Parliament was won by Mr Park Goff, who put in an appearance- att 8 p.m. He was followed by Major Natham, who lost his legs in wartime, and who arrived at 9.30 p.m. Two others put in their claim before midnight. V'

NEW CHANCELLOR, i , LONDON, November 3. The name of Rt. Hon. Reginald McKenna (head of the Midland Bank) is being mentioned in connection with 'the Chancellor of the Exchequer as the successor of Mr P l . Snowden. The Prime Minister will go to Lossiemouth to-morrow night for a few days’ rest. Regarding the appointment of the Cabinet, it is understood that the Ministers chosen will be Mr MacDonakjj’.s personal! selections, based on their suitability , for the particular departments, and ability to work as part of a team., Although, it is.'usual that the. Prime Ministers principal lieutenanft takes office as Chancellor Of the .Exchequer; it is : generally . .believed that a departure from this practice will .be made, and Mr -'Baldwin will occupy No. 11 Downing Street, thus facilitating close personal contact with the Prime Minister, while taking some office . other than the Chancellorship; "which will relieve him of direct departmental cares. ..The King received Mr Baldwin, and it is unerstood the general political situation was discussed.

It is not anticipated that the names of the enlarged Cabinet will be issued before the end of the week. ■

NEW LIBERAL LEADER

LONDON, November 3. * ! Mr Lloyd George is not seeking reelection as Liberal Leader in the House of; Commons. He may attend the opening of the.; House. Then he will sojourn on the Mediterranean. Sir H. Samuel is expected to he elected; Liberal Party, leader.

LLOYD GEORGE AND LABOUR

RUGBY, November 2

In an interview with the “Manchester Guardian,” Mr Lloyd George urges that advanced Liberalism and Labour should work together for their comfnon ' ends. While criticising -much of the policy of the late Labour Government, he thinks there are points of agreement on which progressive iMfrtdsniMt all* parties can collaborate* He says that Labour’s present methods of recruitment are too narrow to enable them to recome a truly National. Party within a. generation. M

MUNICIPAL ELECTIONS

ANOTHER. LA DOUR SETBACK

LONDON; November 3.

The polling took place in over three hundred municipalities in England and Wales yesterday. Seventeen of the London boroughs, in the returns thus far, show heavy Labour setbacks, including a. loss of control of the Woolwich, Shoreditch, and Battersea. Councils, where a Labour majority of tweflve was converted into a minority of eight. Hammersmith has now only three Labourites instead of fourteen; Southwark seven instead, of eighteen-; and Fulham one instead of eight. La:bour is also losing steadily in the country. It lost some seats at Derby, and control of the Council; lost eleven seats and control at Stoke-on-Trent; lost five seats at Preston; four at Reading; twelve and control at Birkenhead; eleven at Bradford;, nine -at Liverpool; and nine at Manchester. All of the twenty-four Socialist candidates at Birmingham were; defeated. After eighty’-results, were announced, the Conservatives had gained 149 seats, and had lost five; and the Liberals had won 26 and lost 5; while •Labour had won five arid lost . 'Mb. The Independents won 46 seats and lost ten.

The gained seven' and the Liberals three of the Labour losses at Derby, where a woman candidate, the nominee of the unemployed, received only - twenty-four votes.