PASSING OF THE BALDWIN MINISTRY

Evening Post, Volume CVII, Issue 19, 23 January 1924, Page 7

PASSING OF THE BALDWIN MINISTRY

FINAL SCENE IN BRITISH PARLIAMENT

ENACTING ADVENT OF LABOUR TO POWER

KING SENDS FOR MR. MACDONALD

(DOTTED PRESS ASSOCIATION.—COPYSIJHT,) (REDTEB'S TEI.KGRAH.) ' •„ (Received 23rd January, 11.45 a.m.) LONDON, 22nd January. Mr. Baldwin, the Prime Minister, has resigned, and Mr. Mac Donald, leader oi the Labour Party, ias been sent for by the King.

(AUSTRAUAN-NSW ZEALAND CAILB ASSOCIATION.) , LONDON, 22hd January. In the House of Commons, the final scene marking the advent of the first Labour Government in Britain was enacted with unexpected calmness. There has been more excitement in many divisions during recent years than that which turned out Mr. Baldwin and brought a change in British politics not contemplated even a few months ago by the most shrewd observers. ' Labourites cheered Mr. Ramsay Mac- ! Donald heartily; some waved handkerI chiefs, but the "Red Flag" was' not sung, and there was no wild exultation. A prolonged debate, jind the inevitability of the result is probably the explanation of this comparatively emotionless finale. . • LIBERALS VOTE SOLID The only surprise forthcoming was the fewness of those Liberals who voted with the Conservatives in spite of the heavy whipping up by a section of the Press, ( and the prognostications of the extinction of the Liberal Party if it handed over the Government to the Socialists. The closing hour of the debate was , the greatest. The Prince of Wales and ! the Duke of York listened from the gal- , lery, which was crowded with peers I At the other end of the House, Mrs. Baldwin sat watching her husband Peeresses and the wives of Labour Commoners jostled to get the better view. The final speeches brought sharp nervour cheers, and interjections. ' NO ENVIABLE TASK Mr. Jfcamsay Macdonald spoke earni estly, especially when he declared that | none could envy the man, whoever it was, who took the reins 6f Government from Mr. Baldwin. Mr. Lloyd George, who was absent throughout the evening, was one of the first to vote for the amendment. Sir John La-very, the Royai Academician, sat sketching for an historic pic.ture. ■■'.•■■ r Mr. Baldwin desired an adjournment until 12th February,, but the Liberals secured a sitting to-day in order to emphasiseihe fact that, owing to the strike, Parliament ought not to be adjourned so long.