A BUSINESS HEAD

Press, Volume LX, Issue 18014, 5 March 1924, Page 9

A BUSINESS HEAD

FOR UNIONIST PARTY.

NEW PRINCIPAL AGENT

<;BY CABLE —PEESS ASSOCIATION COPTBIOET.) (Australian a:;d n.z. cablx association.;

(Received March 4th, 9.50 p.m.)

LONDON, March 4

Mr H. E. Blain hns been appointed principal agent of the Unionist Party organisation, in succession to Sir Reginald Hall, who resigned. * Mr Blain's appointment was a most complete surprise. It is unprecedented that the Unionist? should seek a chief outside political cricles. The "Dr ( '.ly Telegraph" says that Mr Blain's concern will be to run the organisation with the same efficiency as a great business. The "Daily Express" says it is not enough to find n neiv chief agent. Five persons, including Mr Baldwin and the Hon. Mr Jackson led Conservatism to defeat, and at least a majority of them should make way for new mail. [Mr Herbert Edivin Blain is in his 54th year, lie was with the Liverpool Corporation up to ISO 3, latterly as principal traffic assistant on the tramways. For the next 10 years he was tramways manager for the West Ham Corporation; and sinoe 1913 he has been with the London Underground Railways and London General Omnibus Company.group, latterly .aS assistant managing director.!

THE WESTMINSTER SEAT. CONSERVATIVE CANDIDATE. (AUSTRALIAN AND N.Z. CABLE ASSOCIATION.; (Received March 4th, 9.50 p.m.) LONDON, March 4. The "Westminster (Abbey Division) Conservatives have adopted Mr Otho Nicholson, nephew of the late member, as their candidate. Mr Winston Churchill's name was net mentioned at the meeting. The "Daily Telegraph," emphasising the exceptional circumstances, hopos that Mr Churchill will stand independently, and be returned to assist the Conservatives to combat Socialism.

[The Abbey Division of "Westminster is vacant through the death of Briga-dier-General J. S. Nicholson (Conservative). Four aspirants were reported to be seeking the Conservative nomination, and it was stated that Mr Churchill refused to apply owing to a condition that a candidate must not stand unless selected by the executive. Earlier, it was announced that Mr Churchill, who was defeated as a Liberal at the general election, would probably stand as an Independent AntiSocialist.]

INDUSTRIAL DISPUTES.

THE GOVERNMENT'S POLICY.

(BT CA6LE—PEIifIB ASSOCIATION COPTBIGH7T.) ("Anotja.") (Received March 4th, 7.20 p.m.) LONDON, March 3. In remitting tho London and NorthEastern railwaymen's dispute to the Industrial Court, Mr Shaw (Minister of Labour) informed the uiions that the new Ministry's considered policy was to deal thus with all differences, because the public is a tribunal which must be considered.

PRECEDENCE OP HIGH COMMISSIONERS.

(ATTSTBAUAN AHD N.Z. CABLE ASSOCIATION.)

(Received March 3rd, 8 p.m.) LONDON, March 3.

| In the House of Commons Mr J. H,. Thomas (Secretary of State for the I Colonies) said that the Imperial Conference discussed the precedence of High Commissioners, and drew up proposals designed to satisfy everyi body. Tho Colonial Office was waiting to learn whether the proposals were acceptable to the Dominions.

PEER'S SON FOR LABOUR

(A.USTBALIAN AND N.Z. CABLE ASSOCIATION.) (Received March 4th, 5.5 p.m.) LONDON, March 4. The Hon. Arnold Keppel, son of the Earl of Albemarle, is the selected Labour candidate for the Windsor Division of Berkshire at the next General Election. He will oppose the present member (Mr A. A. Somerville, Conservative), who was one of his tutors at Eton. [The Hon. Arnold Joc«t William Keppel is the Earl's second son. He is 40 years of age and served as a flying officer in the early part of the war. He has been honorary Attache at the British Legation at Teheran.] THREE OF A FAMILY. (AUSTSJLLIAN AND N.Z. CABLE ASSOCIATION.! LONDON, March 3. Mr Arthur Henderson was introduced into the House by his two sons. This is unprecedented. He took the oath amidst cheers. DISARMAMENT. THE GOVERNMENT'S AIM. (beuteb's teleghams.) LONDON, March 3. In the House of Commons, Mr MacDonald, replying to a suggestion that an international disarmament conference should be held, said that the League of Nations had already discussed the proposal, and the present moment was unsuitable for an independent step. The Government aimed at a general limitation of armaments, and such a project could not be achieved by throwing schemes at the heads of other Gov. ernments, but by the careful preparation of reasonable proposals.