NO MAGIC WAND.

Auckland Star, Volume LXII, Issue 262, 5 November 1931, Page 7

NO MAGIC WAND.

MacDONALD'S TASK.

Complicated Issues to be Faced

With Determination.

CABINET MAKING.

(British Official Wireless.)

(Received 12 noon.)

RUGBY, November 4,

The Prime Minister, Mr. Ramsay Mac Donald, will make use of his brief respite at Lossiemouth, where he will remain until Sunday night, to give final consideration to the filling of the chief posts in the Cabinet. Pressure of work, particularly with the Indian Conference affairs since the end of his extremely strenuous election campaign, has delayed his decision on the matter.

There is no truth in the suggestion that the composite character of the National majority has raised the question of party claims. The Prime Minister has his embarrassment in the material at his disposal from which to choose, but he will make his final selections from the men most suited, in his opinion, for the tasks to be undertaken.

Mr. Mac Donald will probably announce these at the end of the week.

Great Reception at Lossiemouth.

Great enthusiasm marked the arrival of the Prim© Minister at Lossiemouth to-day. In a speech at the civic reception at Elgin and Forres, he said the end of the election did not end the country's troubles. Greater and more complicated questions had to be faced, but his colleagues and he were determined to carry those problems to a successful issue. The Government had no magical wand, but he hoped by persistence, ability and courage that they would restore the nation to its old position.

GIVE WAY TO YOUTH.

Sir Austen Chamberlain Ready

To Stand Down.

EULOGISED ON OFFER,

(British Official Wireless.)

(Received 12 noon.)

RUGBY, November 4.

Many Press tributes are paid to Sir Austen Chamberlain for his typically generous action in resigning all claims to office in the new Cabinet in order to make way for younger men.

The "Manchester Guardian," which has often been critical of his policy, makels special reference to his effort to establish league authority in the world. The ''Guardian" says it is glad, although by his wish he may becomc only a private member, that he will always be available for counsel and will continue to play the part of an elder statesman.

TARIFF DEMANDED. A STOPPER ON DUMPING. (Received 1 p.m.) LONDON, November 4. The National Union of Manufacturers ■passed a resolution demanding an immediate emergency tariff in order to restrict the present wholesale dumping of foreign goods which is likely to increase, if unchecked.

A CONFESSED SINNER. \ EDGAR. WALLACE IN PULPIT. LONDON, October 28. "As a sinner renouncing politics for the moment," Mr. Edgar Wallace, the writer of crime fiction, preached in the Congregational Church at Fleetwood. Mr. Wallace Avas defeated at Blackpool as a Liberal free trader in the general election. His appearance in the pulpit was the outcome of a complaint by the minister, Dr. Porter, that "modern young people would rather read Wallace than the Bible."

"I am a sinner," said Mr. Wallace. "I go to racecourses and mix with coarse men who use language. I make money out of the theatre and lose money in it.

"Why does everyone look uncomfortable and cough when Christ is mentioned at the luncheon table ? I believe it is because Christ is taboo. The time will come when we will discuss Christ as freely and proudly as we do Nurse Cavell or any other national hero."

Mr. Wallace said that he intended his sermon to be "that of a sinner in criticism of Christian churches."

EARLY CLEAVAGE.

LABOUR ALREADY DIVIDED

LONDON, November 4.

Small as the Labour party in the House of Commons is, it is already experiencing divisions. Mr. J. Maxton, Mr. G. Buchanan, Mr. D. Kirkwood, Mr. R. C.' Wallhead and Mr. J. McGovern met and decided that they could not ally themselves with a party led by Mr. Lansbury, "until tbere is evidence of a genuine r.eturn to. Socialist principles." The official Labour party is thus reduced to 46 members.

The Conservative members of the House of Commons met yesterday and established a Parliamentary Committee to consider the Imperial aspects of the tariff question. Already 305 members have joined the movement.