THE NEW COMMONS

Greymouth Evening Star, 4 November 1931, Page 5

THE NEW COMMONS

SCENES AT OPENING ELECTION OF SPEAKER [OFFICIAL wibelesb.] I RUGBY, November 3. Some Members of the new House of Commons began to assemble at midnight. to claim seats, and by 9 o’clock this looming a steadily-growing number were present to await the opening of the first meeting of the new Parliament. So overwhelming is the majority pos-

;essed by the National Government,

that many of their supporters had difficulty in finding accommodation when the House of Commons assembled

[for the formal business of swearing in Members,and re-electing the Speaker. The meagre Opposition, led by Mr. Lansbury, the senior ex-Labour Minister to survive the elections, were amply accommodated on the three; benches allocated to them. I

The greatest good humour prevailed I among the members of all parties, and the leaders on their arrival received hearty cheers. The election, for the third time, of Captain Fitzroy as Speaker, was acIcompanied by the usual ceremonial. His tact and impartiality, were praised from the Government and the Opposition benches, by Sir George Courthope and Mf. Will Thorne, who proposed] and seconded him. After he replied from his seat among the private members, they then took him by the hand ' and led him to the Speaker’s chair, where he again addressed thee House, and urged upon members the virtues of brevity.

After congratulatory speeches from the Prime Minister and Mr. Lansbury, the House adjourned until the State opening on Tuesday.

EARLY ARRIVALS. LONDON, November 3. The usual race to be the first Member of the House of Commons to arrive at the House of Commons to claim his seat in readiness for the first meeting of the new Parliament was won by Mr Park Goff, who put in an appearance at 8 p.m. He was followed by Major Nathan, who lost his legs in war time, and who arrived at 9.30 p.m. Two others put in their claim before midnight. '

LIBERAL LEADER. g LONDON, October 3. . Mr. Lloyd George is not seeking re- ' election as Liberal , Leader in the House of Commons. He may attend the opening of the House, then he will < sojourn on the Mediterranean. Sir H. Samuel is expected to be elected Liberal Party leader. , ’ Sir J. Simon has been elected as Leader of the National Liberal group. • LABOUR~LEADERS. LONDON, November 3. The Parliamentary Labour Party invited Mr. Henderson to continue the leadership of the Labour Party. It elected Mr. Lansbury as Chairman,. Mr Attlee as Vice-Chairman, and ‘Mr. Charles Edwards as Chief Whip of the Parliamentary Party. CABINET RECONSTRUCTION. RUGBY, November 3. The Cabinet met this morning, and ■ it is probably its final meeting. The < work of reconstructing the Cabinet, ] which has been occupying the close 1 attention of the Prime Minister, who < has been in daily consultation with 1 the leaders of the Government parties I since the election, is not yet com- < plete. t

After this morning’s Cabinet meeting, the Prime Minister had an audience with the King, and stayed to luncheon with Their Majesties. Later, Mr MacDonald left London for a few days’ rest at Lossiemouth. Sir Austen Chamberlain has written to Mr Baldwin, begging him to regard his office (First Lord of the Admiralty) as at his disposal. Mr Baldwin replied with a letter of warm appreciation of Sir Austen Chamberlain’s services, and stating that history will accord him a position “which your father woiild regard as not unworthy for his son.”

THE NEW CHANCELLOR? LONDON, November 3. The name of the Rt. Hon. Reginald McKenna (head of the Midland Bank) is being mentioned in connection with the Chancellorship of the Exchequer as the successor of Mr P. Snowden. PRE-TARIFF BUSINESS

LONDON, November 3.

It is estimated that within the past five or six weeks, as the result of intense dumping of foreign goods in order to forestal tariffs, Britain has paid out three to four millions weekly above the normal for European manufactures, says the “Daily Telegraph.” There -were exceptionally heavy shipments of the following goods, landed during the week-end from France: Baskets, woollens, wood manufactures, chocolate, silk, glassware, perfumes; from Belgium, glass, metalwork, wire netting, copperwire, toys, woodpulp, electric goods, and from Germany, blankets, paper, steelsheets, glass.