LABOUR'S POLICY.

Auckland Star, Volume LX, Issue 157, 5 July 1929, Page 6

LABOUR'S POLICY.

The Speech from the Throne lias been, on the whole, well received by the British Press, and there is a noteworthy and encouraging absence of purely partisan criticism in the comments offered. The "Times" virtually congratulates Mr.'MacDonald on the care that he has taken to show respect for "the verdict and intentions of the electorate" —in other words, to avoid any suspicion of extreme Socialist tendencies. This point is also made by the "Daily Telegraph," which observes, a little cynically, that Mr. Mac Donald's first purpose is clearly to hold on to officc rather than to advance Socialism. Even the "Daily Herald" has succeeded in veiling whatever disappointment the Socialists really feel at Mr. Mac Donald's moderation, and devotes itself to the consideration of the new Government's proposals with sarcastic references to the "wreckage" left by the previous administrations/

The most important reference to foreign affairs in the Speech was the suggestion of a further conference between the British and American Governments on naval disarmament. At Washington the general opinion seems to be that the prospects for a further limitation of naval strength and an amicable understanding between the two Powers are brighter than before. Mr. MaeDonald is to make a more definite statement on the subject shortly, and considerable curiosity is already evinced as to whether the first steps are to be taken by a board of technical experts or a committtee of politicians. Bearing in-mind various occurrences at Geneva, Mr. MaeDonald will no doubt endeavour to keep the naval experts in the background, and he can hardly be blamed for such a decision. But there is, some force in Mi*. Lloyd George's comment that Britain may run the risk of "wounding susceptibilities and arousing suspicions" by entering into a singlehanded discussion of this problem with the United States.

During the debate on this Address-in-Reply an important feature of Labour's programme on the constructive side was dealt with at some length by Mr. J. H. Thomas. As Mr. Thomas is in charge of Unemployment, he has taken an early opportunity to put his view of the situation before the House. He laid stress upon the far-reaching nature o£ the problem, and as he maintained that the state of the commerce and industry of the country is closely involved in it, he repudiated, at least by inference, any suggestion that a cheap and rapid remedy could be effectively applied. The Minister reviewed various proposals for relief works, projects for the improvement of the country, and the successful exploitation of its resources and schemes for emigration, and the development of colonial possessions in the interests of the British worker. Apparently Mr. Thomas did not make a very favourable impression on the members of his own party, who had expected something more radical and sweeping. But though Mr. Lloyd George complained ruefully that Mr. Thomas had borrowed "planks" from the Liberal "platform" without acknowledgment, Mr. Thomas may be gratified at having secured the approval of Mr. Winston Churchill, who gave the Minister's schemes a general benediction and assured him that he need expect no factious opposition from the Conservatives.

The debate, however, was not allowed to run its course without indications of less amicable feeling*. Mr. Winston Churchill, still smarting under Mr. Snowden's recent attack 011 the "scandalous" settlement of France's war debt, wanted to know whether Labour will approve the German reparations scheme which leaves Britain worse off than she was before; and ho Avent so far as to threaten a test of strength on a no-confidence motion if the new Government ventures to repeal the McKenna duties. It is not likely that the Conservatives would get much help from the Liberals on this point. But Mr. Lloyd George also adopted a rather menacing tone in warning Ministers that under some circumstances "suspicion would be engendered" which might be fatal to the Government. So that Mr. Mac Donald and his colleagues will need to walk warily to avoid a conjunction of hostile forces that they would bo powerless to resist.