HOMELAND POLITICAL CRISIS

Greymouth Evening Star, 9 February 1935, Page 7

HOMELAND POLITICAL CRISIS

CONSERVATIVE DISSENSIONS

MR. BALDWIN’S ATTITUDE

[by CABLE—PRESS ASSN.—

LONDON, February 7.

“The Times’s” political correspondent says: Mr Baldwin is not prepared to take any disciplinary action as to the by-election, he preferring to wait and see how the Wavertree situation develops; but there is a widespread demand from other constituencies for an immediate revision of the party system caused by the new position, thus necessitating a serious examination, which probably will be given at a meeting of the Conservative; Central Council on March 27.

The “Daily Telegraph’s” political correspondent says: “If a small number of the delegates to the Council express doubts regarding the Government’s India policy, Mr Baldwin will immediately summon a Carlton Club meeting, at which he will endeavour to rout the malcontents and secure a vote of confidence. Meanwhile, Mr Lloyd George is very interested in the Conservative discomfiture. There are rumours of fresh overtures for him to join the Government with the Samuelite Liberals.”

MINISTERIAL REPLIES.

LONDON, February 7.

In the Commons, Mr. Chamberlain, in answer to further questions relating, to the Red Star Line, said that in accordance with the common practice involving the transfer of money abroad, the request was referred to the Bank of England, but it would" not bd’ fair to suggest his objection was based chiefly on the foreign exchange problem. ’■ .

Mr Runciman, questioned on the s'ame subject, said he was not empowered to prevent.two liners being transferred to Germany. Mr. Chamberlain, in answer to ’ a question relating to speculation in commodities, disagreed with the suggestion that .this was stimulated by abnormally cheap money. Such speculation, he said, generally arose when there was increasing confidence? in future prospects. Sir J. Gilmour, in answer to a ques-

tion, said it was not proposed to recommend special clemency for prisoners for His Majesty’s Jubilee.

UNEMPLOYED AID.

LONDON, February 8.

Following a Sheffield municipal deputation making representations in connection •with the unemployed disturbances, the Government has ordered the immediate payment of unemployment assistance on the old scale, despite the former announcement that it was impossible to begin this week.

INDIA BILL DEBATE.

RUGBY, February 8.

’ Although Labour and Liberal members also participated, the second day of the Indian debate in:the Commons, was mainly conducted by Conservative opponents to the proposed reforms, and Conservative members of the main body of the Party, who defended the contents of the Government Bill. The speeches maintained a high level, and were obviously sincere in tone, Practically all' the speakers were private members but at the end of the sitting, Mr Butler dealt with many points raised by opponents to the Bill. Regarding the future of British trade in India, he reminded the House of the successful result of the policy of goodwill started by the Ottawa agreements, and recently followed by a supplementary trade agreement/ The Trade Commissioner for India had stated there was no doubt the Ottawa agreements had encouraged a new era and closer trade relationship between the United Kingdom and India. Mr Butler also made the point that Labour in India would have definite representation in the Legislative Assemblies. .The depressed classes had received every consideration and would be given opportunities under the new constitution, while power would be genuinely put into the hands of the rural interests.