BACKS TO THE WALL

Sun (Auckland), Volume IV, Issue 979, 23 May 1930, Page 11

BACKS TO THE WALL

LABOUR FACES ATTACK FROM THREE SIDES DEFEAT NOW POSSIBLE United P.A. — By Telegraph—Copyright LONDON. Thursday. Nothing more emphatic appears in the Conservative or Liberal journals concerning the gravity of the Labour Government’s position than au article published today in Labour’s own organ, the "Daily Herald.” This says:— A first-class political crisis has developed with exceptional swiftness. The Conservatives have determined to challenge the Government on the Naval Treaty; pressure is being put by the Liberals on the Government for an immediate decision in favour of proportional representation for urban areas and an alternative vote for rural districts; and inside the Parliamentary Labour Party there is to be a critical division on the unemployment programme of the Government. "Moreover there will be another critical division on Wednesday on the salary of the Lord Privy Seal. Mr. J. H. Thomas. If the Conservatives and Liberals go into the same lobby and many Labour members abstain from voting or register hostile votes, the Government will be defeated.” The "Herald” lays stress upon the fact that the Ministry is subject to a three-sided attack. People who are closely in touch with the Prime Minister, Mr. MacDonald. think he intends to challenge defeat because of his discouragement owing to the growing dissatisfaction in the ranks of the Labour Partv. if he is defeated in the House of Commons he will immediately ask for a dissolution.