IMPERIAL POLICY.

Auckland Star, Volume 55, Issue 22, 26 January 1924, Page 7

IMPERIAL POLICY.

ABANDONMENTJJF SINGAPORE. BRITAIN AND FRANCE MR. MacDONALD>S INTENTION. (By Cable.—rresS Association—Copyright.) I Received l.:to p. m .) LONDON, January 25. The diplomatic correspondent of the "Daily .News" learns that it is now certain .Mr. MucDonnld. Government will abandon the Singapore base. Mr. Mac Donald will adopt a. policy of firmness nnd frankness toward France removing pinpricks.— rN Sun.") BRITAIN AND TURKEY. TURKS LIKE MacDONALD. WILL HE LAST LONG 1 (Receive. 1.: jo p.m.) LONDON, January 25. News of the personnel of Mr. Ramsay iMasDonald- Cabinet has been well received by the Constantinople Press according to a. Constantinople correspondent, although it us generally thought it will not have a long life. Some anxiety is expressed in certain quarters lest the rapected recognition of Russia may result in weakening friendship between Russia and Turkey but Mr Mac Donald made an excellent impression on the Turks during a recent visit and the new Government is acclaimed as one more likely to pursue a friendly policy towards Turkey than Conservatives or Liberals.—(A. and N.Z. Cable.) PEERS IN THE CABINET. NOT LABOUR ADHERENTS. LONDON, January 25. Inquiries in Cabinet circles indicate that Viscount Chelmsford, First Lord of the Admiralty, and Lord Parmoor, Lord President of the Council, were invited to join the Ministry because a certain number of peers in the Cabinet is essential for carrying on the Ring's Government. Neither can be regarded as a convert to the Labour movement. Both received assurances that Mr. Mac Donald. policy will not endanger the stability of Britain or the Empire., therefore they consider it their duty to render nil possible assistance to carry on the Government. It is claimed that Mr. Mac Donald has filled the Cabinet posts with remarkable cleverness. No one is given M!n!s_erm2 authority in a direction in which he has already enunciated extremist views.— ' .("Sun.") BANKERS VIEW OF CHANGE. ! GROUNDS FOR SATISFACTION. LONDON, January 23. Mr. Walter Leaf, presiding at the annual meeting of the London County, ■Westminster and Parr's Bank, said the political situation was piquant and interesting, but from the point of view of business men it was not wholly unsatisfactory. The election had delivered them probably for years from the fear of rash economic experiments whether from inflation, protection, or a capital levy. There was no panic but some nervousness among amateur investors who should remember that it was easy to lose in American investments quite as '\ much as through any capital levy. The c country was recovering with all the f steadiness that could be reasonably ( hoped, and it only needed patience, peace f and work.—(A. and N.Z. Cable.) s ■ c

CIVIL SERVANTS MUST "WORK. " ! t

RAMSAY MACDONALD'S BOMB, f LONDON, January 25. The diplomatic correspondent of the , "Daily Telegraph" states that Mr. MacDonald established a notable departure from tradition by starting work at ihe c Foreign Office before. 10 o'clock. For generations the working hours there . have been even shorter than in oMier Government departments. The stall has started at least an hour later, though ' higher officials were frequently to be , iound working late in the evening. Mr. Mac Donald is determined to spare .either himself nor his subordinates, holding that abnormal times require abnormal efforts. —(A. and N.Z.)

! RECOGNITION OF RUSSIA.

LONDON, January 25. It is definitely stated that should the Pussian Soviet Government be accorded s recognition by Britain the appointment < of Mr. James O'Grady, Labour M.P. for 1 South-cast Leeds, as Ambassador to ' Moscow will be announced immediately. It is the opinion of Ministerial circles that diplomatc recognition of Russia is p. foregone conclusion. — (Reuter.)