BRITISH POLITICS

Dominion, Volume 18, Issue 97, 19 January 1924, Page 7

BRITISH POLITICS

ACTIONS OF DOMINION PREMIERS CRITICISED ''' ' \ “ELECTIONEERING AGENTS FOR THE GOVERNMENT YORKSHIRE PAPER’S SHARP COMMENTS , The “Yorkshire Observer” sharply criticises several Dominion Premiers who, it declares, “constituted themselves in effect electioneering agents for the Government.” It wonders whether active intervention by British politicians in Dominion elections and parliamentary debates would be tolerated.

By Telegraph—Press Association. -Ooptbigiu

(Rec. January 18, 11.55 p.m.) London, January 17. The Yorkshire “Observer,” in an editorial, says: “The Baldwin Government went to the country on the protection issue, of which the preference scheme was momentarily the principal item, whereupon several .Dominion Premiers constituted themselves in effect electioneering agents for the Government. One or two Premiers, not content with that action, are still con stituting themselves Parliamentary agents in the hope of influencing the votes of members of the House of Commons. So far most of us have been content to wonder whether British politicians’, active intervention in Dominion elections and Parliamentary debates to prejudice one party or the other would, be tolerated in the same ■ good nature which we, in the stupidity and ignorance Mr. Bruce ascribed to our people, have consistently display* ed.”— Aus.-N.Z. Cable Assn. BRITISH POLICY ABROAD APPARENT DECADENCE , • % LONDON “TIMES” ADVICE TO PARTIES London, January 17. “The Times,” in a leading article lamenting the apparent decadence of British policy abroad, says: “The real reason why France is being allowed to become dominant in Western Europe and flout British wishes is because the British Government has not followed the advice of the late Lord Salisbury to ‘let actions accompany words’ rather than lag behind them.’ “The true British policy is neither to follow nor to break with France, but to convince her that there is a better policy than the one which she ' aiitl Belgium are pursuing. The task, no doubt difficult, should not be insuperable, but if intervention is to be successful ,it must be backed by public opinion. No isolated, purely partisan policy will command a majority in Parliament. There is no really yast difference in the attitude of the thrqa parties on *the principal foreign problem of the moment. Some form of prel minary agreement, however, seems ab-

solutely necessary if an effective policy is to be devised. It could be reached unquestionably without a sacrifice of principles by any party.”—“The Times.” CO-OPERATION WITH FRANCE QUESTION FOR LABOUR LEADER * London, January 17. “Hie Times,” referring to Mr. MacDonald’s hope of co-operation with Fiance, asks how Mr. MacDonald, who is a .pacifist, expects to co-operate with the French realist policy, which he has already repudiated, and inquires, if Mr. MacDonald, abandons collaboration and goes his own way, what sort of settlement is possible?—“Thp Tinies.” NO-CONFIDENCE AMENDMENT LIBERALS ADVISED TO •SUPPORT IT London, January 17. In the House of Commons, Mr. J. R Clynes (Lab.) moved the no-coniiH<>u-» amendment to she Address-in-liepty. Mr. Asquith (Lib.) advised «li Liberals to support it. —Reuter. s NO OPTION FOR LIBERALS MR. BRUCE INDIRECT CAUSE OF GENERAL ELECTION London, January 17. Earl Beauchamp, speaking at the National Liberal Club, said that the' Baldwin Government had placed itself in such a position that the Liberals had no option liut to vote no-confidence, which would have the effect of putting Labour into office. Referring to Mr. Bruce’s speeches, he said that they the efforts of an igent of the Tariff Reform League. Mr. Bruoe, more than anyone else, was the indirect cause <*f the general election.—Aus.-N.Z. Cable Assn.