SMUTS SATISFIED

Hawera Star, Volume XLVIII, 3 November 1924, Page 5

SMUTS SATISFIED

WITH ELECTION RESULTS. REGRETS LIBERAL ECLIPSE. THE .PREFERENCE ISSUE f .. ’'■ _ BY CABLE—PREBS ASSOCIATION—COPYRIGHT. Received Nov. 3, 11.10 a.m. ' CAPETOWN, Nov. 2. The press” generally expresses satisfaction at the results of the British election, on the ground that it ensures a preferential tariff. - Sthuts, :'interviewed by the e Times, said he -did not doubt that the change would have .a favourable effect on. South Africa. For one thing preferences on South African products would take effect, which would be a t great boon to the Union’s industries. He lamented, however, the eclipse of the Liberal Party, whereto South Africa owed a debt of gratitude for services twenty years ago; but, with hls knowledge of the English character, which he was convinced was fundamentally liberal, that spirit would continue to characterise internal and foreign policy. DEPOSITS FORFEITED. Received Nov. 13, 11.30 a.m _ . ■ ■ LONDON, Nov.'2. fourteen Labourites who were adopted .as eleventh hour candidates forfeited. their deposits of £l5O each, as they did not poll one-eighth of the votes oast. It is understood that exMinisters are resuming the posts they formerly held in .trades unions, except Mr Hodges, who is studying law.—Sun. PAINFUL TASKS. (Received Nov. 3, 11.45 a.m.) LONDON, Nov. 2. The Times says: "Mr MacDonald’s decision to resign on Tuesday is a prodent one. Ministers may fairly claim a few. days to meditate on the causes ' of their downfall, wind up urgent business and present the best face possible for their followers’ consideration. These are painful tasks, and the last must be as difficult as it is,painful. No apology, however ingenious, 'can hide the fact that they have been responsible for one of the most crushing defeats in history. Mr MacDonald’s / remark, in the first chagrin of defeat, that he did out envy the Tories 'their job, is suggestive. It is. indeed not a job, to be envied. Possibly Mr Macv Donalddeemed it a job to be avoided.” CONSERVATIVE MAJORITY 210. LONDON, Nov. 1. This amended position of the parties after the election is as follows :—■ Conservatives .................. 407 Labour . 152 Liberals 41 Independents 4 ‘ Outstanding ................... 11 Absolute Conservative majority 210 The total votes recorded were: Conservatives .....;... 7.848,000 Labour S^I.OOO Liberals 2,951,000 Independents .......... 159,C00 The Daily Telegraph points out that ‘ it is Labour’s first setback since 1910, when the party had only 40 members. Sir James Craig (Premier of Ulster) sent a; message : from Ulster saying that. the result of \tbe election js a matter for deep thankfulness. Ulster now stands full square and impvecr- . nable. The Daily Express says that Mr Stanley ~ Baldwin / (the Conservative leader) intends the autumn session to be very brief. The new Ministry will probably probe the Zinovieff letter, and also complete the inquiry into the abandonment of the Campbell prosecu- ■ tion. . Downing Street was thronged with sight-seers awaiting the members of the Cabinet. Acknowledging the clues of “hard luck,” the Premier (Mr Ramsay MacDonald) said thev had not done so badly considering what they were up against. Befbre the Cabinet meeting Mr MacDonald spent some time at the Foreign Office, the! leading officials of which attended at *No. 10 Downing Street. , The, Evening Standard understands that evidence of. the authenticity of the inovieff letter has impressed the Ministers, whose investigations will' be ednnlly devoted to the circumstances of the publication of . the letter. R is generally expected that the King will return to town on Monday, and ; that Mr MacDonald will submit the Ministers’ resignations on Thursday- Lord "Grey is strongly mentioned as Mr MacDonald’s successor at the Foreign Office, for which post Mr Austen Chamberlain is also named, but the letter is regarded in some quarters as better suited for the Colonial Office. The newspapers alternately suggest Sir Robert Horne anr Mr Austen Chamberlain as Chancellor of the Exchequer. • ■ Mr retained the Western Isles with an increased majority in a three-cornered contest. The Cambridge University seat was retained for the Conservatives by Mr J. F. P. RawHnson. Mr J. R. M. Butler in a~ four-cornered contest. THE PREFERENCE, ISSUE. 'V, OTTAWA, Oct. 31. . Asked if lie. anticipated the restoration of the McKenna duties or other ? referential treatment for Canada, the ’rentier (Mr W. 'Mackenzie King) said the new Conservative, administration must take the initiative. It was a matter for the British, hot the Canadian Government, to decide.