DIFFICULTIES AHEAD

Ashburton Guardian, Volume 49, Issue 200, 10 June 1929, Page 5

DIFFICULTIES AHEAD

LABOUR AND LIBERAL. QUESTION OF COLLABORATION. INDEPENDENT SECTION DISSENT. Press Association —Copyright.) (Received This Day, 11.45 a.m.) LONDON, June 9. Signs of the difficulties ahead of the MacDonald Government have not taken long to show themselves. The first evidence of internal differences appeared to-day, when the National Council of the Independent Labour Party, after two days’ session, adopted a resolution dissenting from an article on the new leader by JVLr Id. 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 Socialists’ purpose, for which the Government attained power.—Australian Press Association.

LOSING NO TIME.

MINISTRY TACKLING DUTIES. (Received This Day, 10.30 a.m.) LONDON, June 9. Mr Ramsay MacDonald, in a broad-r cast speech, said: “We are losing no time grappling with the duties imposed on us. We have to work for peace in industry and Home affairs, also abroad. Everything that can be done to reduce unemployment wiU be done. We shall avoid extravagance in view of the overshadowing importance of disarmarment and the need for friendly discussion and agreement between the United States and other Powers and outselves. I hope to make a short visit to Geneva at the next League assembly.”—-United Service.

RELATIONS WITH RUSSIA.

SCEPTICAL DEMAND IN MOSCOW. (Received This Day, 11.45 a.m.) . LONDON, June 9. The Moscow newspaper “lavestia,” while viewing the MacDonald Government coldly, sceptically demands that it take immediate steps to bring Anglo-Soviet relations out of the deadlock brought about by, the Conservatives.—Australian Press Association.

EARLY NEGOTIATIONS. MR HENDERSON’S INTENTION. (Received This Day. 1L45 a.m.) LONDON, June . 9 . Mr Arthur Henderson (Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs),- interviewed by the “Daily Herald.” said: “I shall do my utmost to seek to strengthen, the Anglo-American bonds and make the Kellogg Pact fully effective. Regarding Russia, I shall expeditiously open up negotiations to put AngloRussian diplomatic and trading relations on a satisfactory basis.” —Australian Press Association.

NEW MINISTERS SWORN IN.

FIRST WOMAN PRIVY COUNCILLOR.

LONDON, June 8

The new members of Cabinet, in traditional frock ooate and silk hats, including the outstandingly-attired Sir Oswald Mosley, took a special train to Windsor and were driv.e.o in State in landaus with liveried coachmen to the Castle, where there was a first meeting of the Privy Council to swear in non-members, including Miss Margaret Bondfield, who is its first woman member. _ Thereafter the Minister© went to the Audience Chamber, where each received the Seal of Office and kissed the King’s hand. —Australian Press Association.

KING SHOWS NO STRAIN. * first cabinet meeting held. LONDON, June 9. Crowds assembled at Windsor to see the new members of Cabinet arrive. A journalist asked Miss if **he was nervous. She replied: “Oh, no. After 40 years of blazim? the trail one ceases to be overexcited, I feel highly honoured in making history ias the first woman to enter Cabinet.” After they had received the seals of jjffico Mr MacDonald made a statement: “Myself and my colleagues were highly delighted to find the King looking so well, and to see how magnificently he was able to go through the ceremony without any sign of strain or ill-effect.”

The Court Circular to-night pointed out that his Majesty’s physician, Lord Dawson, of Penn, was sworn in to the -Privy Council with the members of the new Cabinet, thus avoiding a separate ceremony.'

When they returned to London members of Cabinet met at Downing Street and the Ministers .visited their Departments. When Parliament meets on June 25 Captain Fitzroy will be re-elected Speaker. Mr Robert Young (Labour) win be nominated' as Deputy-Speaker. After a formal opening with the Kin g’s Speech on July 2, the Government is not expected to encounter any serious , difficulty during the debate on the Ad-drese-in-Reply, after .which Parliament will adjourn for a week, and thereafter tail October, when the Government will introduces its main legislative proposals. —Australian l Press Association, United Service.

MR MACDONALD’S SELECTION. APPROVAL BY THE PRESS. LONDON, June 8. The “Daily Herald,” commenting on the new Ministry, claims that Mr MacDonald’s is a trulv National Government. The eves of expectant millions throughout the world are upon the new Ministry, and it will not disappoint them. The “Daily Chronicle” states that it

is a stronger Cabinet than that of' 1924. Some had foreseen features such as Lord Justice Sanbey’s appointment, which is universally approved, but had not foreseen the appointment of Mr Sidney Webb, which will be regarded as equaUy admirable. The “Daily Express” states: “Mr MacDonald has made a good job. He has been guided by the necessity for the capable administration of Departments, and ability to explain! and defend the Departments in the House. Judged from these viewpoints the Cabinet is unquestionably strong. Miss Bondfield’s appointment possesses novelty, but she has the respect of the House and should 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 “Morning Post,” says: “It is probably as good a Cabinet as a Socialistic Prime Minister could have formed.” It asks, “Does not Mr Jowitt’s conversion prove that Liberalism is not a barrier against Socialist, but a bridge to it?” The “Daily Telegraph” states that Mr Henderson’s appointment can hardly he welcomed. It is well to remember that he went to Geneva in 1924 and initialled the ill-omened Protocol. Mr Webb has no doubt been awaiting the call to the Upper House.” The “Daily Mail” states: “What the country wants is a sober, businessilike Administration. If Mr MacDonald gives us that, his Government may last a good deal longer than some prophets imagine.” “The Times” says: “Mr Webb’s organising mind should have a chance to display itself. No field, offersi a more promising opportunity than that allowed him. His 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, but will necessitate the most careful selection of his Undersecretary.”— Cables, Australian Press Association, United Service. '

MR JOWITT’S POSITION. f WILL NOT BE ASKED TO RESIGN. LONDON, June 8. The Preston Liberal Executive, after a three hours’ spirited meeting, decided' that Mr Jowitt should not be asked to resign.—United Service.