CAST FROM THE FOLD

Dominion, Volume 24, Issue 289, 2 September 1931, Page 9

CAST FROM THE FOLD

Ex-Leaders of Labour THOMAS SEVERS LINK Dramatic, Emotional Scene GALLANT PARTY REMNANT By Telegraph—Preei Assn.—Copyright (Rec. September 1, 8 pun.) London, August 31. Mr, J. H. Thomas has resigned from the National Union of Railwaymen. Mr. Thomas attended the meeting, but in a letter of resignation said: “You have unanimously requested my resignation from the Government. Compliance with that reqnest would brand me as a coward and a cad. I cannot and will not resign. “My allegiance to the National Government was not a hasty decision, but was due to the sincere belief that I

was rendering not only the best service to the railwaymen, but discharging a duty to the nation,” he added. “It Is unfair to ask my resignation from the Government when you know that I have acted in accordance with ■the dictates of conscience. “Therefore, I have no alternative but to sever my connection with the railwaymen. I love railwaymen and my union too much to appeal against your decision. Good-bye.” Thomas Leaves In Tears. “I have resigned rather than be dismissed,” was Mr. Thomas’s only comment on leaving the meeting. Tears were streaming down his face. It is learned that the Trades Union Congress has decided that Mr. Thomas is not entitled to a pension. The “Sun-Herald” political writer says Mr. Ramsay MacDonald told his son Malcolm and other young Labourites that the whole party was against them, and they had better go with it in their own interests. Malcolm disobeyed, preferring to remain with his father. It is understood that Malcolm probably will be appointed Under-Secretary for the Dominions. Unions May Favour Tariff. The economic committee of the Trade Union Congress has completed a special report on the existing political crisis for presentation to Congress at Bristol on September 7. It is understood that It favours a revenue tariff. It is likely that the General Council will adopt the report, which thus will go to Congress with a definite recommendation in favour of a tariff. The best-informed observers among Mr. Arthur Henderson’s following foresee an inevitable cleavage of opinion on the fiscal, issue, and a bitter controversy in that connection. Mr. J. H. Thomas, who has resigned his position as Political and General Secretary of the National Union of Railwaymen, Ims been closely associated with that organisatoin for nearly 35 years, states a British Official wireless message. The.largest branch of the National Union of Railwaymen in Derby—Mr Thomas’s constituency—has assured him of its full confidence. ,

APPROVAL OF PEOPLE Many Proofs Reach Leader CABINET AGAIN AT WORK Official Wireless. Rugby, August 31. The Prime Minister, Mr. Ramsay Mac-Donald, during the week-end in Scotland enjoyed and benefited from a brief change of scene and air. but he was by no means free from the cares of office. He was frequently in telephonic communication with Downing Street, and spent part of Sunday in drafting a reply to the local Labour Party executive in his constituency of Seaham Harbour, which, in accordance with expectations, allied Itself with the trade unions and the Labour Party in opposition to the National Government, and recommended to a delegate meeting that Mr. MacDonald be asked to re-sign bis seat as member for the division. The Prime Minister has been deluged with letters from people of all classes enthusiastically praising him for the course be has adopted in the last few weeks. He has been particularly touched by many letters from unemployed and from Socialists who have grown up in the movement and who express a desire to play their part on behalf of the nation. Nation Responding to Appeal. Commenting om these letters, which he says have greatly encouraged him in ’ hi- determination to carry through his tasks as bead of the National Government. Mr. MacDonald said: “The spirit of sacrifice in all groups of the commurlty Is moving the nation. It Is very heartening to those of us who have undertaken tills task, and we hope to see it through. We may have to give up many things, but we are going to carry out this task to the end.” It is anticipated that Cabinet meetings during the week will be devoted to studying these reports and effecting a final co-ordination of the plan, tlie central feature of which is to be the fulfilment of the Government’s pledge to balance the Budget Cabinet will make public rhe essential features of its scheme for effecting drastic national economies at the earliest moment. Reopening of Parliament. An official announcement regarding the day of Parliament’s reassembly will also be made soon, and it is probable that the general expectation that

the House of Commons will meet tomorrow week will receive confirmation. The Prime Minister reached London by aeroplane this morning. Cabinet met this afternoon. Members have been studying the material prepared by the two sub-committees appointed at the first meeting on Wednesday last to report on economy and taxation measures and on Parliamentary procedure. The reports are understood to be complete, and Cabinet is proceeding to a final study of a comprehensive scheme to be submitted to Parliament at the special session next week. Distribution of Sacrifices. So far the only item of the proposals which has been disclosed and discussed is the suggested reduction by 10 per cent, in the unemployment benefit, apart from the allowances for children, but when an official announcement of the completed plan is made it is confidently anticipated that it will be found to provide for an equitable distribution of sacrifices in accordance with the Government’s declared policy. To-day’s meeting of Cabinet lasted 3J hours. The arrival and departure of Ministers was watched by a large crowd. in political circles there Is naturally a measure of speculation as to the length of time the National Government will require to fulfil the task for which it was formed. One authority says: “Nobody can tell how long the Government will be In office, but it is well to remember that its objective was the re-establish-ment of British credit. “If that takes longer than is at present antic'pa'ed by some people, the nation will insist on the necessary time being given to it. “When that is accomplished, then let the nation have the choice, without let or hindrance, to decide which party shall bo its future leaders.” A TARIFF PREDICTED Changed Government First THEN FOR EMPIRE TRADE Montreal, August 31. “Canada’s progressive and active policy in Empire trade on framing agreements with Australia, the West Indies, and Smith Africa, even though she may have to wait for a tariff agreement with Britain, is very sound.” Sir Alexander Gibb, a British engineer who has been commissioned by the Canadian Government to report on Canada’s harbours, said in an interview published on Monday “The trouble is not with you here in Canada, it Is with us in Britain. I mean we have got to have a tariff, and it is coming. “After tins National Government there will be an election, a Conservative Government will come in, and we shall have a tariff, and then we can talk about Empire trade.”