GOOD PROGRESS.

Auckland Star, Volume LXII, Issue 234, 3 October 1931, Page 9

GOOD PROGRESS.

MacDONALD'S PLAN.

National Policy- for Appeal to

Electors.

QUESTION OF LIBERAL HELP.

(British. Official Wireless.)

(Received 12 noon.)

RUGBY, October 2,

A further session of Cabinet was held this afternoon without any date being fixed for the next meeting. As a result of the developments of the past few days, the Prime Minister, Mr. Bamsay MaeDonald, is understood to have made good progress in extending the measure of support that will be accorded him as the head of a National Government in appealing to the country for an unfettered mandate to undertake the task of national reconstruction. The attitude of the Liberals has been in some doubt over the question of the plans which may be considered necessary for carrying out this task, also owing to a strongly-held belief in the Liberal party that an immediate general election is inevitable.

Reports also state that the differences between the Liberal members of the Cabinet and their colleagues in the Ministry have been narrowed down to the terms of the manifesto in which the Government's appeal will be launched. A formula is being sought which would have the support of the Liberal free trade Ministers, but which, in regard to imports, would not rule out the prohibition of tariffs as an emergency measure. The Liberal Parliamentary party met to-day, Sir Herbert Samuel presiding, and the meeting decided that the matters in issue should be left to Sir Herbert Samuel, Lord Reading and the other Liberal members of the Cabinet. Later, during a short adjournment of the Cabinet meeting, the Liberal Ministers withdrew to consult with the junior Liberals, Ministers and their colleagues in the Government. The King, who has been kept closely informed of the political developments since his return to London, received Sir Herbert Samuel at Buckingham Palace this morning. The Prime Minister was not present at to-day's meeting of the Cabinet. He left London this morning for Seaham Harbour, which constituency he represents".

By the same train several of Mr. MacDonald's former Cabinet colleagues, including Messrs. Arthur Henderson, Herbert Morrison and George Lansbury, were passengers. They are proceeding to Scarborough to arrange for next week's meeting of the Labour party conference.