Labour Difficulties

Sun (Auckland), Volume III, Issue 685, 10 June 1929, Page 1

Labour Difficulties

EARLY SIGN OF TROUBLE Difference About Liberals TROTSKY APPLIES TO GO TO BRITAIN (United P.A.—By Telegraph — Copyright) (Australian and N.Z. Press Association) (United Service) Received 11.45 a>.m. t nwrinw > CIGN3 of the difficulties ahead of the MacDon’afd have not taken long to show themselves. The first evidence of internal diffeernce appeared todav, when the National Council of the Independent Labour Party after a two-day session, adopted a resolution dissentinfrom an article in the ‘ New Leader,” by Mr. H. N. Brailsford favouring collaboration with the Liberals.

The council emphatically reaffirmed the Independent Labour Party conference’s opposition to collaboration, on the ground that it would be fatal to the Socialist purposes for which the Government attained power. Simultaneously with Trotsky’s sudden application for permission to come to Britain, the Moscow “Izvestia,” while viewing the MacDonald Government coldly and sceptically, demands that it take immediate steps to bring Anglo-Soviet relations out of the deadlock brought about by the Conservatives. TROTSKY SEES A CHANCE Trotsky, who is in exile in Turkey, apparently regarding the success of the British Labour Party as a favourable opportunity to leave Turkey, has telegraphed to Mr. MacDonald saying: “Eor urgent medical and to do scientific work I am asking the British Consul at Constantinople for lish of his biography. , Trotsky sent his son to the Consul with a request for a visa. He mentioned the need for medical treatment and the necessity for his personal supervision of a publication in England of his biography. The ‘‘Morning Post’s" Madrid correspondent states that the advent of the MacDonald Government is already affecting the work of the League of Nations Council. The German delegate, Herr Schubert, strongly opposed tho report on minorities by the committee of three, headed by Sir Austen Chamberlain. An open rupture with M. Briand (France) was narrowly averted There is the greatest elation among the Germans, who are indulging in the wildest talk of a complete reversal of the British policy, envisaging Mr. MacDonald as supporting the German demand for revision of the Silesian frontier, abolition of the Polish corridor, as well as immediate evacuation of the Rhineland. Mr. Arthur Henderson. Secretary of Etate for Foreign Affairs, interviewed hy the "Daily Herald,” said: “I shall do my utmost to strengthen AngloAmerican bonds, an<i make the Kellogg Pact fully effective. Regarding Russia, I shall expeditiously open up | negotiations to put Anglo-Russian | diplomatic and trading relations on a : satisfactory basis.” KING ISSUES SEALS Large crowds of spectators assembled at Windsor Castle to witness the arrival of the new Ministers to receive their seals of office from the King. The Ministers wore the traditional frock coats and silk hats. Outstanding in the matter of attire was Sir Oswald Mosley. The Labour Ministers were taken by special train to Windsor and driven to the Castle in State landaus. First there was a meeting of the Privy Council, where the new Ministers were sworn in. Then all went to the audience chamber, where each received a seal of office and kissed one of the King's hands. A journalist asked Miss Margaret Bondfield if she was nervous. She replied: "Oh, no. After 40 years of blazing the trail one ceases to be too excited. But I feel highly honoured at making history as the first woman to enter a British Cabinet.” Subsequently Mr. McDonald issued j the following statement: “My col- j leagues and I were highly delighted to ! find the King looking so well and to see how magnificently he was able to So through the ceremony without any sign of strain or ill-effect.” A Court Circular issued this evening says the King's physician, Lord Dawson of Penn, was sworn in as a Privy Councillor with the new Ministers. Later the Cabinet met at No. 10

Downing Street. Ministers also visited their departments. Commenting upon the new Cabinet the “Daily Chronicle” says it is a stronger one than that of 1924. “Some people,” says the paper, “had foreseen features such as Sir John Sankey’s appointment as Lord Chancellor, which is universally approved, but had not foreseen the appointment of Mr. Webb as Dominions Secretary, which will be regarded as equally admirable.” The “Daily Telegraph” says: “Mr. Arthur Henderson’s appointment as Foreign Secretary can hardly be welcomed. It is well to remember that he went to Geneva in 1924 and initialled the ill-omened protocol. As regards Mr. Webb, no doubt he has been awaiting a call to the Upper House.”

“The Times” says: “Mr. Webb’s transference to the House of Lords, which seems to follow as a matter of course, perhaps will help to keep Empire questions outside party politics. However, it will necessitate a most careful selection of his Under-Secre-tary. Mr. Webb’s organising mind should have a chance to display itself. No field offers a more promising opportunity than that allotted to him.” The “Daily Mail” remarks: “What the country wants is a sober, businesslike administration. If Mr. MacDonald gives us that his Government may last a good deal longer than some of the prophets imagine.” The "Morning Post” says: “It is probably as' good a Cabinet as the Socialist Prime Minister could have formed. Does not Mr. Jowitt’s conversion prove that Liberalism is not a barrier against Socialism, but a bridge to it?” The “Daily Express” says: “Mr. MacDonald has made a good job of his Cabinet. He has been guided by the necessity of administering the various departments and an ability to explain and defend them in the House. Judged from those points of view his Cabinet unquestionably is strong.” “Miss Bondfleld’s appointment as Minister of Labour possesses novelty, but she has the respect of the House and will do well. Altogether it is an impressive Cabinet. The nation hopes and believes that before it has run its course much good will have been done.”

The “Daily Herald” claims that Mr. MacDonald’s Government is truly a national one. It says the eyes of expectant millions throughout the world are upon the new Ministry. It will not disappoint them. MACDONALD, PROPHET PEERS INTO THE FUTURE OF THE WORLD SOME ARRESTING IDEAS ( Unit ed Ser vice > Reed. 9.5 a.m. LONDON, Sunday. The Prime Minister, Mr. Ramsay MacDonald, in an article in the “Sunday Dispatch” on “What I think the world will be like ten years hence,” says: "Industrially, I see the whole world apportioned in vast economic fields, controlled by powerful syndicates, recognising no boundary lines other than markets, and which wili hold in their keeping the lives of millions of human beings. “Social materialism, growing vigorouslv, will become increasingly a problem for those caring about individual liberty. The great cry since 1914 of self-determination for the nations will be displaced by the still more important cry of self-determination for individuals. “Speaking politically, if the smaller Powers make themselves felt at Geneva, there is no reason why within ten years we should not have something corresponding to the United States in Europe. On the other hand, if the Great Powers continue to dominate at Geneva, affairs will be less hopeful and more confused. The complete organisation of Europe will be difficult and almost impossible while the United States remains aloof from the League. I think there is little chance of the United States joining within ten years. However. I will be associated more closely with League activities. England and the United States before ten years will come to an agreement on the old, irritating question of freedom of the seas, which will lead to a further understanding between Europe and America.” Mr. MacDonald in a broadcast speech said: “We are losing no time in grappling with the duties imposed on us. We have to work for peace in industry in home affairs and also abroad. Everything that can be done in reducing unemployment will be done. We shall avoid extravagance. In view of the overshadowing importance of disarmament and the need of friendly discussion and agreement with the United States and other Powers. I hope to make a short visit to Geneva at the next League Assembly. j