BRITISH ELECTIONS.

Taranaki Daily News, 23 November 1922, Page 5

BRITISH ELECTIONS.

STATE OF PARTIES. SEVENTY-NINE MAJORITY. LABOR OPPOSITION. By Telegraph.—Press Assn.—Copyright. London, Nov. 21. Candidates stood at the recent election under so many descriptions, and with such qualifications of their political faith, that even yet it is impossible to arrive at absolute accuracy regarding the state of parties. This is especially the case with the various brands of Liberals, where members were returned under many understandings. For instance, Sir Alfred, Mond, one of Mr. Lloyd George’s Ministry, was returned as a plain Liberal without any prefix. Yesterday he stood beside Mr. Asquith in the House. On the other hand the National Liberals claim many members who stood without professing actual adherence to Mr. Lloyd George’s leadership. The Conservative Party is fairly solid, but even its ranksSfelnclude some who declared that, if returned, they would regard themselves as independent of the party whips. The Laborites are also solid with a small co-operative wing, which will certainly vote with them on all important questions. Naturally all the parties, ,their organisations and newspapers are claiming the totals most favorable to themselves, but the most reliable estimates gives the state of parties as follows, with one return still to come:—

Government majority 79 The Times lobbyist says the La-bor Party will be given precedence as- the principal Opposition party and their amendments 'to resolutions will be taken first, but the Liberals will also be recognised as an Opposition party entitled to separate rights, with a certain number of days allotted for discussion on desired subjects. Labor intends to set down amendments regarding foreign affairs, unemployment and agriculture in the debate on th? Address-in-Reply, while the Liberals will raise the question of free trade and the Safeguarding of Industves Act. LABOR PARTY LEADER. RAMSAY MACDONALD ELECTED. Received Nov. 22, 10 p.m. London, Nov. 21. Mr. Ramsay MacDonald has been appointed Leader of the Labor Party, Mr Clynes deputy-Leader, and Mr. Renderson chief whip, pending his finding, a seat. The voting for the leadership resulted: MacDonald 61, Clynes 56 When the House reassembled for swearing-in, Mr. Ramsay MacDonald took his seat on the front Opposition bench. . x _ ■ Mr. Lloyd George is suffering from a cold, and has not yet attended the House. THE FINAL RETURN. London, Nov. 21. Sir R. Hamilton (Liberal) beat Sir Malcolm Smith (National Liberal) for the Orkney and Shetland seat. This is the final return of the elections. Mr Bonar Law, writing to unemployed official, firmly refused to receive an unemployed deputation, pointing out that the Ministers for Labor ana Health were primarily responsible for dealing with the alleviation of imemnlovment. The Ministers mentioned expressed their willingness to reeeiv® a deputation. If this is deemed unsafaefactory it can be challenged m Parliament.

Conservatives 344, Independent Conservatives ... 3 Labor 139 National Liberals 55 Liberals 59 Independents • • • 5 Co-operatives 4 2 Prohibition, Communists and Sinn Fein (each) 1