A Quick Decision

Hawke's Bay Tribune, Volume XIII, Issue 282, 14 November 1923, Page 5

A Quick Decision

The Fiscal Issue rapid march of events. GOVERNMENT’S ELECTION PLATFORM. .By Cable.—Press Association.—Copyright.! (Received 11, 9.55 a.m.) London, Nov. 13. Events in the political world moved rapidly on Monday, and as the result it may bo stated with confidence that the present Parliament will be prorogued on Thursday with a view to an immediate dissolution. 11 the proclamation is issued on Thursday evening, which is expected, the polling day will be December sth. At present the actual date has not been fixed. It is understood the Premier is willing to agree to whatever day the party organisers suggest. An election will certainly occur in the first or second week of December, the most likely days being sth or 12th.

It is generally agreed that the present Parliament will to all intents and purposes bo dead at the end of the week.

It is expected' that Mr. Baldwin will forestall opposition by immediately an, nouncing that unemployment is acute and only soluble by the adoption of a policy of protection for the Home markets.

It is realised, however, that the Government must couple with the new policy a definite scheme of social reform and amelioration of existing conditions affecting various sections of the community. Therefore, it is expected that the Premier will at the same time announce his intention of devoting the proceeds of the protective duties (1) to relief of agriculture, (2) to development of Empire cotton-growing and tea production and reduction of the existing tea. anc! sugar duties. This it may be assumed will be the broad platform on which the election will be fought—(Times). IMMEDIATE DISSOLUTION DECIDED ON. (Received 14, 9.20 a.m.) London, Nov. 13. Mr. Stanley Baldwin has decided on an immediate dissolution. A conference between Mr Asquith, Sir John Simon, Mr. Lloyd George, and Sir Alfred Mond arranged a joint election campaign. The “Daily Chronicle” says that Mr. Austen Chamberlain will succeed the Duke of Devonshire as Secretary of State for the Colonies, after the election. —(A. and N.Z.) PUBLIC INTEREST AT HIGH PITCH. CROWDS ROUND~PARLIAMENT. THE PREMIER’S ANNOUNCEMENT DISSOLUTION ON FRIDAY. (Received 14. 11.55 a.m.) London, November 13. Interest in the political situation was evidenced by the crowds in the vicinity of Parliament and excitement in the House of Commons. The benches, gangways, and galleries were crowded, those present including representatives of -the Dominions and members who were eager to know the Government’s plans. When Sir W. Joynson Hicks asked that the question should be repeated on Thursday there were cries of “We shall not be here!”

Mr. Baldwin, on entering, was received with prolonged Ministerial cheering. Mr. Will Thorne and other Labourites retorted: “Cheer, and wait till December 6!”

The Ministerialists warmly welcomed Messrs. Austen and . Neville Chamberlain, while Mr Asquith and Mr. Lloyd Georgy received ovations from their parties.. Mr. Ramsay MacDonald asked Mr. Baldwin to give time to discuss Mr. MacDonald’s resolution condemning the Government’s failure to deal adequately with unemployment. the European situation and Mr. Baldwin’s declaration. that the Government proposed to establish a system of tariffs, expressing the opinion that it was the sole cure of unemployment. After tributes had been paid to the late Mr. Bonar Law by Mr. Baldwin. Mr. Lloyd George, Mr. MacDonald, and* Mr. Asquith, Mr.. Baldwin announced that a dissolution would probably take place on Friday, with the discussion on the Labour vote of censure on Thursday. This means an election on December 6.

Mr. Baldwin said he was so convinced that his conclusions in regard to unemployment were right that it was impossible to remain to attempt to steer the country through the winter of 1924-25 unless they were allowed to use the instrument which Mr. Bonar Law’s pledge precluded him from, using. He had been urged to try to avoid that pledge, but he had little skill in finding ways round. The only course for an honest man was to submit his views to the country and take his chafWF at th© election, which was always a disturbing factor It should be held as speedily as, possible io enable him, if the country gave him the mandate, to incorporate in the next Budget the measures he believed to be necessary.— (Reuter.) Mr. Asquith condemned the rush election, alleging that the Government was afraid of the full and free discussion which killed protectionism twenty years ago. He declared that all business men condemned the disastrous disturbance of social and commercial life and described the allocation of only Thursday for discussion as an outrage on constitutional procedure. Mr. Austen Chamberlain warmly supported Mr. Baldwin’s decision. The “Daily Express” says the Government’s agricultural policy includes a bonus of 2/4 per quarter on homegrown wheat and assistance of a different character for other forms of agriculture. Part of the tariff revenue will be earmarked for development of Empire cotton-growing.—(A. and N.Z.) MR. BALDWIN’S INTENTIONS. CONSERVATIVE LEADERS UNITED. London, Nov. 13. Mr. Baldwin has an audience with the King this afternoon and informed His Majesty of his views on the political situation. Later he attended a reception in his honour at the Constitutional Club, where ho took the opportunity of consulting his colleagues, and others. It is notable that, he had a further conference with Mr. Chamberlain. It is expected Mr. Baldwin will observe the conventions and announce his decision to Parliament, probably to-day. Lord Birkenhead, Sir Robert Horne and Mr. Austen Chamberlain had a long talk with Mr. Baldwin at No. 10 Downing Street. It is understood all are ready to support Mr. Baldwin, assuring him of the unity of the Conservative party, though Sir Robert Horne is not yet willing to re-enter the Cabinet owing to business engagements. A reconstruction of the Government • pari passu with the appeal to the country is likely. The “Daily Express” understands that Mr. Chamberlain and Lord Birkenhead have been offered posts as Ministers without portfolio as a prelude to front rank office in the new

Government if the Conservatives are returned.

The “Morning Post’s” political correspondent says: “This Parliament is dead for all political purposes. If the official end is delayed the only result will he that the Radicals and Socialists will he free io campaign the country while Conservative members are tied to Westminster. Arrangements at the Conservative central office are well forward. Already more candidates have been adopted than last year. Changes in the Cabinet before the electioh are unlikely. Sir Alfred Monel is acting as go-between with a view to the fusion of the two wings of the Liberal party. Certainly every effort will be made to prevent Independent and National Liberals standing in the same constituency anywhere.” LIBERAL RE-UNION ACCOMPLISHED. The “Daily Chronicle’s” political correspondent says: “A Liberal reunion may now be regarded as an acplished fact. No time will be last in arranging a united campaign. It is understood that Mr. Asquith and Mr. Lloyd George will confer, probably today. The “Daily Chronicle” editorially says: “The Government’s haste shows how‘little the Unionist leaders believe in their own case, since they are afraid to leave time for discussion. If the election is fixed for December history will brand Mr. Baldwin as an antidemocrat, a jerrymandered a man who did not play the game, and a Premier who lowered the political traditions of his country. It would be deliberately trying to snatch a vote on a pairamount question before liis countrymen have time to consider it.’ ’ The “Daily Telegraph” says: “There is obviously much to be said for getting the whole thing over as quickly as possible. Having made a decision we hope the Government will wage an effective and vigorous campaign from one end of the country to the other. The campaign may be one of the shortest on record; it will none the less be one of the bitterest.” The “Morning Post” says: “Mr. Baldwin’s decision is that of an honest and brave man. He might have remained in office comfortably for four years, but he prefers to take his political life in his hands, believing protection alone will cure the evil of unemployment.” The “Daily Express” advocates the Chamberlainite policy of Imperial preference. LABOUR OBJECTIVES. The Labour party, as the official Opposition, professes itself confident of the result. Mr. Ramsay MacDonald was hailed by his supporters last night as the future Premier. The “Daily Herald,” outlining the Labour policy, says: “Unemployment cannot be cured by taxing foreign-made goods and by Imperial nor by reliance on an open market. The disease of unemployment finds its roots in the system of production for profit. The time is ripe for the nationalisation of the two great basic industries, coal and railways. Labour advances this as part of its programme. Liberal and Tory alike have destroyed the purchasing power of the workers and have thereby crippled the home markets. They have cut down wages to the tune of a thousand millions sterling per year in a. mad attempt to reduce production costs. Therefore, one of Labour’s watchwords is, “Restore the homo markets by. restoring the workers’ wages.’ Labour also demands the revision of the Peace Treaty, fair play for Germany, fair dealing with Russia, a foreign policy based on reconciliation, and, finally, a capital levy to meet the payment of interest on the national debt.” •»

TARIFF ADVISOR)’ COMMJTTEK. Mr. Baldwin has appointed a tariff advisory committee as follows:—Lord Milner (chairman). Lord Kylsant (formerly Sir Owen Phillips), Sir S. Algernon Firth. Sir AV. Peter Rylands, Sir William Ashley, Professor Hewins, and Mr. A.. Pugh (secretary of the Iron and Steel Trades Federation). — (A, and N.Z.) SURPRISE IN CANADA. PREFERENCE IN THE BALANCE. (Received 14, 11.40 a.m.) Ottawa, Nov. 13. The.early date of the British election is a surprise to Government circles. Canadian interest is quickened by offers of increased preference to Canadian goods by Mr. Baldwin’s Government. The recent conferences in London were thought here to lie a victory for Mr. Baldwin’s Government and to mean a possibility of extensive development in preferences between Great Britain and the dominions, while his defeat is regarded as likely to set back the clock of the Imperial Conference for some time. It is believed the early date of the elections means that there will be no effort to bring the proposed preference into effect until after the voters of Great Britain have passed judgment upon them.—-(A. and N.Z.)