Rumours Precede Resignation Of British Chancellor

Greymouth Evening Star, 15 November 1947, Page 5

Rumours Precede Resignation Of British Chancellor

LONDON, Nvember 14. The dramatic development of Dr Hugh Dalton’s resignation from the Cabinet and Sir Stafford Cripps’s appointment as Chancellor of the Exchequer, occurred after the House of Commons had been buzzing with rumours ranging from the resignation of Dr Dalton to reports that the Government was resigning. The announcement of Dr Dalton’s resignation revealed that earlier in the day he had verbally explained his position to the Prime Minister (Mr Attlee) and had offered his resignation. He later confirmed the offer in writing.

Mr Attlee saw the King after holding a meeting of senior Ministers and offering Sir Stafford Cripps the Chancellorship. Labour Members’ Views

The lobbies of the House of Commons produced strong opinions on the “leakage.” Many Labour members of the House claimed that Dr Dalton should in no circumstances consider it necessary to resign. Dr Dalton, after apologising to the House of Commons, added: “I take the blame for having committed an indiscretion in my relationship with a correspondent whom I have known tor a period of. vears. I do not think it would be suitable for me to pass, anv -judgment on him.” ... ‘‘Because of Dr Dalton’s resignation, it is unlikely that Mr Churchill s motion for a select, committee of inquiry will be proceeded with, says the political correspondent of the Daily Mail. “The motion was tabled before Dr Dalton’s resignation was announced. “Dr Dalton told John Carvel, the , lobby correspondent of the Star the main heads of the Budget proposals without placing any embargo on the information. Maybe he calculated that if it were used, it could not possibly be published before his announcements were made in the House of Commons.” . “Dr Dalton’s resignation .will inevitably arouse conjecture as to whether there was not something deeper, namely the failure of his financial policy,” says the .financial correspondent of Reuters. “The most sober, journals have long felt that Dr Dalton’s financial policy was frustrating Sir Stafford Cripps £■ economic policy and that the co.unti y could be saved from the threat, of an economic breakdown only if its financial policy powerfully reinforced its economic policy.. ~ “It is believed ip some ' quarters that it was only under Sir Stafford Cripps’s pressure - that Dr Dalton agreed to an interim Budget, at. all, and that he insisted on. having as small a one as possible. . • Astonishing Chapter - “Dr Dalton’s resignation from the Chancellorship - adds an . astonishing chapter ’ to Parliamentary. history,’ qavs the "Daily Mail' in a -leading article. “There . have been "Budget

leakages in the past, but never from a Chancellor of the Exchequer.” The financial correspondent of the Daily Express says: “The stop press story printed by the Star although it was on the streets at 3.45 p.m. on Wednesday, did not make anybody’s fortune. The Stock Exchange was closed and its members were observing the usual agreement not to operate after closing time on Budget day.” “The circumstances of Dr Dalton’s resignation are widely regretted, ’ says the Parliamentary correspondent of The Times. “Whatever views may be taken of his handling of the nation’s financial affairs through a very difficult period, he has proved one of the most 7 able and distinguished men in the Government and one who carried great authority in the Labour Party. His resignation is a severe loss to the Government.”

The Parliamentary correspondent of the Daily Express predicts that Dr Dalton will soon be back in office, not only because of his ability but because of the support he commands. “Ability and support are his distinctive features,” the correspondent says, “and they do net always go together among the Socialists.” High Standards The Daily Telegraph, in a leading article, says: “Dr Dalton showed a very proper spirit in not seeking to disguise or evade his responsibility, and the utmost punctiliousness in following his confession by his resignation, but that is not to say that he ought not to have resigned. The standards of British public life are high, exacting, and inexorable, and it the slightest departure from them were to be condoned, Parliamentary institutions would suffer. Their reputation is more important than the career of any man.” The Daily Express, in a leading article, says: “There is and can be no suggestion that Dr Dalton’s disclosure of the Budget proposals had any motive other than willingness to help an old acquaintance in his work, bUv his lapse is politically still one ol the gravest which can be committed by a Minister of the Crown.” . r The Daily Herald says: It is <t tragedy that a career so lull oi achievement should be thus halted.