CENSURE MOTION.

Auckland Star, Volume LXII, Issue 72, 26 March 1931, Page 7

CENSURE MOTION.

MOVE BY CONSERVATIVES

LONDON, March 25

A Conservative censure motion was tabled in the House of Commons last evening to the following effect:—That the Government, owing to its failure to carry out its election pledges in regard to unemployment and having ceased even to attempt to formulate • remedial measures, does not deserve the coniidence of the House. The debate on the motion will take place next week.

LORD PRIVY SEAL.

NEW APPOINTMENT MADE

(British Official Wireless.)

RUGBY, March 25,

Mr. Thomas Johnston, Parliamentary Under 1 Secretary for Scotland, has been appointed Lord Privy Seal in succession to the late Mr. Vernon Hartshorn. Mi. Johnston iirst entered the House of Commons nine years ago as Labour member for West Stirling.

Mr Thomas Johnston, Scottish Labour Leader, was bom in Dumbartonshire m 1882. and educated at the Glasgow university. After a short period ot business training he went into journalism, and m 1 " 1907 founded "l'orm ward." a very

vigorous and lively Labour weekly. Air. Johnston is a strong temperance advocate, and it was largely due to bis influence that the Scottish Independent Labour party adopted a prohibition policy. He initiated many schemes in the municipal council of his home town,

among them

first municipal bank in Scotland. Thanks to his efforts the finances of his burgh were steadily improved.

Mr. Johnston was elected M.P. for West Stirling in 1922, and in 1924 was returned, for Dundee. In the House of Commons he came into prominence in connection with the controversy over the Sudan Plantation Syndicate. It was he who, in May,; 1928, took up the case of Miss Savidge, and by his sensational revelations m the House regarding the methods alleged to have been employed by the police in examining her as to a Hyde Park episode, secured an official inquiry. Air. Johnston has been spoken of an some quarters as the natural successor to Ramsay MacDonald as Leader of the Labour party.