IN OFFICE AND IN POWER

Dominion, Volume 18, Issue 177, 21 April 1924, Page 6

IN OFFICE AND IN POWER

BRITISH PREMIER’S CLAIMS (Rec. April 20, 5.5 p.m.) London, April 19. Unusual interest centred in a speech by the Premier in connection with the annual conference of the Independent J>aboui Party at York. Mr. MacDonald declared that since January Labour had become bigger, not in size, but in mind. The party and Cabinet were both doing well. He denied the dictum that they were in office but not in power. The ’Premier alluded to the conference with Russian representatives in London, following years of misunderstanding and mischief ivhich had not produced a brass farthing to Russia’s creditors, but had produced unemployment and poverty for hundreds of British families. He asked: “Is Singapore still being pursued?” and declared: “We are in office with the power of government. .We have got to grips with the housing problem. A scheme is being drawn up to provide houses that it will be a pleasure for people to live in.”—Reuter.

100.000 HOUSES A YEAR. London, April 18. Mr. J. 'Wheatley, Minister of Health, explained the Governent’s housing plan to cope with the existing shortage. It was the first to build. 100,000 houses a .year over a long period of years, besides replacing slums. The long period would allow of an increase in the labour supply without lessening the continuity of employment. In the second place, it would provide bouses at low rents, which workers would be able to pay to the local authorities, who were forming a commit! ee to draw up financial arrangements to carry out the policy with State assistance.—-Aus.-N.Z. Cable Assn.