LABOUR'S ECLIPSE Opinion in India

Hawke's Bay Tribune, Volume XIV, Issue 276, 1 November 1924, Page 5

LABOUR'S ECLIPSE

Opinion in India

After the Fight Meeting of Cabinet tempoNaNy RETENTION OF OFFICE. ZINOVIEFF LETTER TO BE CLEARED UP. <lBy Pre«e AwaoclMtlnn— GnuvrlgM (Received 1, 11.20 a.m.) London, Oct. 31. The Cabinet sat for ninetv minutes add decided to continue in office for a few days meeting again on Tuesday. It appointed a committee to examine the question of anihenficitv of the Zinovieff letter. . It is expected the investigations will bo completed by Tuesday. It is believed that th© adjournment ur th© Cabinet is due to the necessity of clearing iin A number of outstanding important administrative matters. but the question of resignation has been left in the (hand© of the Premier and the Government’s resignation without a further meeting of th© Cabinet is possible. In view of th© parliamentary position it is regarded as probable that Mr. MacDonald will resign next week, STOCK EXCHANGE BUOYANT. The Stock Exchange shows great buoyancy as th© result of the election, which exceeded the T highest anticipations. Advances on improved values prior to Wednesday were: Gilt-edtreds half percentum to one percentum; , home railways; on©, percentum to over, two percentum, On the upsetting of th© nationalisation scheme, and the prospect of of trade, industrials, notably textiles iron and steels snowed substantial advances. There Was ©ver greater buoyancy on: the provincial exchanges.—(A. and N.Z.) SOCIALISM ONLY SCOTCHED. “THE TIMES’S” WARNING. (Received 1. 9.15. a.m-) London. Oct. 31. “Despite the greatness and decisiveness of the victory, it would be a grave error fa imagine that w© will not be troubled with the Socialists for a loftg time,” says “The Times.” “Labour is not only the second- strongest party, but th© voting shows that its defeat is not duetto any diminishing of energy ©r discipline. Socialism has heen beaten, npt because it did less well ■ Mjan at the last election, but because th© Conservatives. did much better. Th© Socialists claim an increased aggregate vot© arid’ that th© cutback is temporary. There is just sufficient truth in these statements to warn, their opponents fo constantly rpniain on guard, not relaxing tli© most intelligent vigilance. There is no room for neutrals. Whoever is not actively against Socialism is for it. The Liberals’ check may not be more .than = fomporary. The election was fough’t Hinder circumstances particularly unfavonrnblia t© Liberalism. The Patio" = was, nsked to. decide th© broad issue of and replied effectively?’— (Times). ELECTORAL REFORM DEMANDED. (Received 1, ,9.15 a.m.) London, Oct. 3!. The “Daily News ” demanding mcrtoral reform, points out that 7.500,000 Conservative votes, returned 'jv4r 400 members, and 8,500.000 for and Labour less than 200 qiombers. A ( Conservative was elected ,fof 19,632 Conservative .votes. 't Daljpur 38.474 and . Liberal •—(Sydn4 h Slun ,? cable). MORE CONSFRVATfVE GAINS. (Received 1. T 1.20 a.m.V London. Oct. 31. Th© Conservative Mr. F. A. MacQuisten, gained Argyll from a Liberal in a three-corner Contest by a majority nf 3029. Two Conservatives Captain C. O. Craig qM Maior H. O’Neill, were re-elected for Antrim defeating the Republican Mr. McCormick. b v a majority of 5800.—(Renter). INDIAN EXTREMISTS DISMAYED. (Received 1, 0.15 p.m.) Delhi. Oct, 31. The sweeping Tory in England is regarded with dismay*by Indian extremists, who had Expected the return of Labour and hoped for an extension of the reforms beyond the limits laid down by their scheme. On the other hand the moderates reo. lisc that the Conservatives mean well with India, and are determined to stamp cut the revolutionary movement, whidh is' very grave. There is general hope for the appointment of Mr Winston Churchill to the India Office. Business people aniici pare improved .trade exchange.—(A end N.Z.) 1 bolshevisFopinion. NOT A VOTE AGAINST THE TREATY. (Received 1, 11.20 a.m.) Moscow, Oct. 31. . The “Investia” expresses the opinion that it would be erroneous to consider the result of the British elections as the vote of the British people against the Anglo-Soviet treaty, and declares that Britain’s ecohoinic needs jand international influence of the Unioii of ..Soviet Republics command the British bourgeoisie to make such an agreement.—(A. and N.Z.) COMMENTS BY MR HUGHES Defence and preference. (Received 1* 9'.15 aLm.) Melbourne, Nov. 1. Mr W. M. Hughes,, commenting on the British elections, said’ that Labour ’p , chances of victery in Australia at th<' next election had not beep strengthened by the defeat of the British Labour Party, and c,on sequent on its removal it was probable that the Singapore base would be constructed, but Australia would haVO to attune her defence policy fo the strategy whidh was developing in the Southern Pacific. On the Strength of Mr Baldwin’s Speeches; we might expdet sofiie' measure of trade preference ixi’ th near future. The election had beenmost complete and crushing reply to tW Soviet propaganda.—(A. and N.Z.) THE CONSERVATIVE MAJORITY. TWO TO ONE. ADDITIONAL* RESULTS. London, Oct. 30. The “Morning Post” states that the pnrtics arc as follow:— Conservatives and Constitutionalists ...... 414 Labour 146 Others 4 Outstanding 15 A feature of the Birmingham elections wKs the Labour victory at King’s Norton, where Mr Dennison beat Sir Herbert Austin by 133, thu? breaking the. solid Unionist representation of Birmingham, which had ex Uted lines 1886.

One of the most surprising results in Scotland was the defeat of Mr Shinwell in Linlithgowshire, where a Conservative turned a minority 01 5('00 into a nfajority of 6000. Mr Fleming (Conservative) gained Dumbarton from Labour by a majority of 3351. Seely, in a triangular fight, captured Norfolk East for the Conservatives. □ A Conservative won Linlithgow from a Labourite, Mr Shinwell. Mr McKee, Sinn Feiner, was defeated in Armagh by a majority of 17.265. A Conservative, Colonel Headlam gained Barnard Castle from Labour. Captain Darcy Hill gained Brecon and Radnor for the Conservatives m a triangular fight. In a three-cornered contest at Stir ling and Falkirk, q Labourite, Mr Murning, gained the seat from Mr Mcßae (Liberal) and Mrs Shaw. The Bosworth seat was captured bv a Conservative. The Conservative ex-Minister, Sir B. A. Sanders, gained Wells in a triangu tar fight against a Liberal and an Independent LiberalA Labourite. Mrs Corner, was defeated at Farnham by a Conservative; Mr Bonar Law’s secretary. An ex-Minister, Mr Davidson gained Gomel Hempstead in a triangular contest, wherein a Labourite, Miss Sayle, was : defeated. A. Conservative, Mr Macintyre, gain cd Edinburgh West from Mr Vivian Phillips. A ConsOrVativO, Mr Mitchell, gained Lanark in a triangular fight, defeating ' a Liberal, Miss Mitchell, and Labourite. A Conservative, Mr Couper, gained the Maryhill Division of . Glasgow from Mr Muir, secretary to the Minister of Pensions. A Labourite, Miss Spurrell, was defeated in a triangular fight, which was a gain for the Conservatives. A Labourite, Mr Shiels, gained Edinburgh East in a triangular contest, <fe« tearing the Liberal whip, Mr J. M. Uvgge, and a 'Conservative. Mrs Laura was defeated by a Labourite in Aberdeen North. A Conservative, Colonel Crookshank, gained Berwick and Haddington iA a triangular Agnt. Mr Maxton’s majority against thi» Mr Bridgeton, was 6000. A Conservative, Mr Harrison, gained Bidmin from the notable Liberal, Mr Istac Foot. A Liberal, Mrs Corbett Ashby, and Labourites, Mrs Barbara Gould and Miss Picton Turbervllle, were defeated in triangular contests in Watford. Northwich and Stroud respectively. A Conservative, Mrs Middleton, was defeated at Wansbeck by a Labourite. Mr Lloyd George’s son, Gwilym, defeated in a triangular fignt in Pembroke, which was a gain for the Conservatives. Viscount Sandon (Conservative) gained in a triangular contest xn Shrewsbury, where the unsuccessful Labourite, Mr Lawley, is blind. A Conservative, Miss Irene Atard, was beaten by Mr Smillie at Morpeth. A Conservative, the Hon Mrs Brodrick, was defeated by a liberal. Mr Davies, in Denbigh. A Conservative, Mr Templeton, gained Banff in a triangular figbt. A Conservative, Mr Hutchinson, gained North Midlothian from Labour. At Caerphilly a Minister, Mr Morgan Jones, was re-elected, but fils majority was halved. A. Conservative Mr Ford, gained Edinburgh North in a triangular contest, defeating a Labourite, Mias Stewart, and a Liberal. A Conservative, Mr Murchison, regained Huntingdon from the Labourite, Mr Costello. Sir R. Lynn (Conservative) was re elected for West Belfast iff a triangular contest, a Republican, Mr Nash, being at the bottom of the poll securing only 2688 out of over 50,000 votes. . Sir M. MacNaughtem (Conservative) was re-elected for Londonderry by a majorily of 25,000 over a Republican. Mr MacWhinuey. Mr Stamford (Labour) retained West Leeds in a triangular contest* four recounts resulting in a majority of three over the Conservative. Baron Huntingfleld, a Queenslander, was elected for the Eye Division oi Suffolk. Shropshire, EssCx and both tlxo Renfrew Divisions vrent solidly Conservative. Cumberland is now represented by three Conservatives and one Labourite. Mr Asquith’s old Conservative an- , tagonist, Sir Alexander Sprot gained North Lanark from a Labourite. A Conservative, Mr Macundrcw, gained Ayr Bute, Kilmarnock, from Labour by a majority of 11,000. A Conservative, Vice-Admiral Sir Henniker Hughau, gained Galloway from a Liberal. The Rev Mr Barr (Labourite) gained Motherwell ffom an Orangeman, Mr Ferguson. A Republican, Mr Murray, was do feated for Down by a majority or 49,836. The Conservatives, Mr J. Pringle and Sir C. Falls gained seats in Fermanagh, defeating Republicans, Messrs McCartan and Corringan, by majorities of 37,000. ONLY FOUR WOMEN RETURNED. LIBERAL STRONGHOLDS LOST. London, Oct. 31. Only four Women weFo elected out of 41 candidates —namely, Lady Astor. Countess of Atboll, Mrs Philipson (Conservatives), hnd a newcoifler, Miss Wilkinson (Labour;. Last year eight women were returned. Women secured 401.750 votes. How great is the blow Liberalism has received is shown in the fact that old strongholds like Cornwall and Devon have gone entirely Conservative. The triumph' of the Conservatives is not confined to any area or type of seat: it is as noticeable in industrial as in agricultural centres and extends to the Clyde and other parts of Scotland* Mr Baldwin is receiving shoals of telegrams of congratulation. He is leaving for a short rest in tho country after the strain of tho campaign. Mr Bald Win, in a congratulatory message to supporters, says: .“You bav© achieved a phenomenal victory, more than justifying the confidence I' have always had in the political ment and commonsense of tho British people when confronted by a grave issue.” The five outstanding University polls will be declared between November 1 and 13. The Afyll, Fermanagh and Tyrone results will be announced to-morrow and Inverness (Western Isles) in a few days.—(A. and N.Z.) STABLE GOVERNMENT POSSIBLE. MR. MACDONALD’S INTENTIONS. THE CONSERVATIVE CABINET Stable Government is now possible for five years, is th© pronouncement of all moderate’ politicians. Even Liberals, who are bitterly disappointed and even resentful at th© debacle their party suffered; insist upon this aspect of the situation. The . Cabinet will meet on Friday to consider 1 the, question of resignation. If Mr MacDonald decides to meet Parliament. thus getting time to clear .up the rights and wrongs* of th© Zinovieff jublication, a want of confidence mo;ion will be carried on November 26, but Mr Baldwin will already have prewired a list of Ministers for submission ;o the King. It is expected Mr Autsen Chamberlain will be Chancellor of the Exchequer. Lord Birkenhead may succeed

Lord Cave, who is in poor health, as Lord Chancellor- Mr Neville Chamberlain is likely to have the portfolio of Labour, Lord Derby War. Colnoel Amery the Admiralty, and Sir P. Lloyd-Graeme Board of Trade. The addition of Sir R. S. Horne and Mr Churchill will make the Cabinet far stronger than Mr Baldwin’s ill-fated first Administration. Sixty-four candidates, including Mr Tom Mann, forfeited the £l5O deposit because they failed to poll one-eighth of th© total votes. Five of those penalised ar© women. Well informed Labourites express the opinion now that Mr MacDonald wil resign before Parliament meets to allow time for the formation of a Conservative Cabinet, which will submit the King’s Speech to the House of Common®. One objection to Mr MacDonald’s immediate resignation is his intention to fully inquire into the Zinovieff letter. The Labourites are not too disappointed with the result of the election to point out that ttflUaggregate Labour vote shows a marked increase, but luck was against them as regards representation. They declare that Labour, as th© only alternative Government, must sooner or later gain an absolute majority. Mr MacDonald, speaking at Cardiff, said Labour’s poll of 5,000,000 votes was a wonderful manifestation of its power. When yesterday’s Conservative victories turned to-day into a landslide, which represented a turnover unequalled since 1906, all calculations were upset- A Conservative majority over all parties was expected, but nobody anticipated that it would be effected by th© practical annihilation of the Liberal party. In the counties the Conservative triumph was remarkable. Essex. Sussex, Herts, Berkshire, Bucks, Hants, Lincolnshire. Somerset. Wiltshire, Warwickshire. Worcestershire. Dorsetshire, Kent, Surrey and Bedfordshire went completely Conservative. Vast crowds heard the result at Aberavon. Mr MacDonald’s supporters frienziedlv sang the “Red Flag.” Mr MacDonald, appearing weary after the campaign, said: “Labour is up against a maximum reactionary movement, but let them all come.” The closest contest was at West Leeds, where after a second recount the Labourite had a majority of one. Another recount is proceeding. Mr J. R. Clynes, interviewed said the Labour defeat was not a political disaster, It was due to the manner in which the Tory leaders were able to exploit misunderstanding and racial feeling in regard to Labour’s Russian policy. “We are certain that the Conservatives later on will suffer the mortification of making an arrangement with Russia similar to that which Labour proposed. They won’t dare to reverse Labour’s foreign policy.” MR ASQUITH’S DEFEAT. Mr Asquith’s defeat is attributed to Conservatives withholding support and so marking their displeasure at his placin the Labourites in power in 1923. It leaves the road clear for Mr Lloyd George to assume the leadership. Mr Asquith says his defeat was due to the steady growth of Socialism poison penetrating certain parts of Scotland. The Liberals must accept th© decision in a British sporting spirit. Mr Maxton and the Clydesiders had much to do with the defeat of Mr Asquith, though Mr Mitchell, the victor, xs a totally different type from the other Scottish Labourites. He is a young and successful Glasgow lawyer and a member of the Glasgow Town Council. He is one of th© most polished orators in the Labour movement. His cultured platform style and teility of descriptive phrases has earnea him the sobriquet of “The pocket Rosebery.”' The “Evening Standard” attributes Mr Asquith’s defeat to the action of the Conservative women of Paisley, who declared when the Conservative candidate withdrew in accordance with the Liberal pact with the Conservatives that they would neither vote nor work for Mr Asquith. NEWSPAPER COMMENT. REVULSION AGAINST SOCIALISM. ROUTED IN INDUSTRIAL CENTRES London, Oct, 31. The “Daily Mail” says: “It is a victory of the common people over the forces of folly and disorder. The country needs a Government with the same firmness and contempt for de-, lusions as the electors have shown ” The “Workers’ Weekly,” commenting on the sweeping victory of what it calls Tory Imperialism, says: “After eight months the Labour Government aroused- neither enthusiasm nor .hope. It betrayed the principles of the class it represents. The Labour leaders have oeen guilty of treachery, which brought about their defeat.” The “Daily Chronicle’s” political correspondent says: “Mr Baldwin’s hug© majority was given him in a ftanic. Tne Zinovieff letter convinced arge sections of the electors that the Government was under th© control of dangerous extremists, and the electors saw red. There is a general agreement that women played a great part in this revolt. Though the Liberals nominated nearly 100 fewer candidates than in 1923 they polled almost 3,000,000 votes. They are entitled to two and a-half times as many members as they have got.” The “Daily Express’ says: “Th© Conservative triumph confounds the wildest optimism. It is largely due to th© advocacy of the popular newspapers. The Opposition in the new Parliament will be dangerously weak and the Conservative? must steadfastly resist the tendency towards the Right. The revulsion against extreme Socialism does not mean that the electors desire four years of extreme Di©-hardism. Th© Tory democracy must b© real demoncracy.” The “Daily Telegraph” points out: “It is in the centre of industrial population that Socialism is routed. It is the masses whom the Labour party professes to know and understand better than others who have been quietly awaiting an opportunity to rid themselves of Mr MacDonald and his colleagues. Notide to quit was never served on any Ministry in a more imperative form.” The “Morning Post” says: The Communists brought about the downfall of th© Socialist Government. They first undermined th© Givernment in the trad© unions and then forced them into such extreme courses as the Russian) treaty and th© withdrawal of the Campbell case. They followed even •polls with Zinovieff’s letter They tnade Communism th© issue at these elections. The electorate has given th© Conservative party a clear indication that its first duty is to fight this horrible evil of international Socialism. Let us make no mistake—the nP h J_, 13 not over; it is only beginning. . The Communists, driven out from their hold upon the Government, will seek to avenge themselves through the power thev maintain in our industrial life. The “Daily Herald” says: At all events, we know where we are. We have shaken off false friends.. The three-partv system was a nuisance. The English mind could not understand it It would have taken a long time to destroy it by gradually beating the Liberals. Fortunately, they decided to save us that trouble. They committed suicide.” The “Herald” proceeds to affirm that their opponents had a fresh lie everv morning and as as it was exposed thev dropped it and got another ready. The paper concludes: One or the duties of th© Labourites now is to reason with the British Communists and persuade them to drop the notion that a few obscure people could somehow bulldose Britain and hold It down bv force. Tho red plot was imbecihty and the exploitation of fear, especially, women’s fear, would have b«m impossible but for the noisy threats otBritish Communism." (Continued »t foot of next cojfimn.)

DISTRIBUTION OF VOTESTh© “Morning Post” . states that votes cast for Conservatives and Constitutionalists totalled 7,897.524 for Socialists 5,503,197. Liberals 2.877.349, others (namely Independents) 79,730, Communists 45,582, Republicans 18.790.—(A. and N.Z.) The votes cast at the 1923 election wer© distributed as follows:— Conservatives ... 5,430,513 Labour 4,477,617 Liberals 4,267,522 • Seventy-four per cent, of the electors voted in 1923, compared with 75 per cent in 1922. AN IMMATURE VOTER. (Received 1, 850 a.m) London, Oct. 31. Probably the youngest voter at the election wap a baby 22 months old, who was taken to the polling station at Truro by ite mother and allowed to vote as its "name was on the register. A woman voter at Dudley was taken ill- She gave birth to twins when she arrived home and they have been named after the rival candidates.-— (*Reuter).

RESULT RECEIVED WITH MIXED FEELINGS. VERNACULAR PRESS DISAPPOINTED. (Received 1. 12.5 p.m.) Delhi, Oct. 31. Tho result of the election was oeived in India with mixed feelings. The large majority for the Conservatives caused general surprise. AngloIndians are pleased, considering that a stable administration in England would lead to a firm handling of tho Indian situation, which is becoming in creasingly anxious in Indian political circles. The Indian press is most unanimous in its disappointment at the election, and prophesy a gloomy future under the reactionary administration of tho Conservatives. Lord Peel’s and the Earl of Winterton’s recent writings in the press are quoted to prove the Conservatives’ narrow outlook. Extremist circles are pleased, taking the view that the. Conservative regime will alienate all moderate forces from the Government, strengthening their ranks. The “Leader,” Allahabad, the leading moderate organ in India, observes that the prospect is dreary for India. It feels the reactionary forces in India would receive from Whitehall not onlv support, but even incitement. The “Hindustan, Times.” Delhi, voices a similar opinion. The vernacular press deplores the collapse of-Labour and Liberalism, and states it feels there is a great ordeal ahead. The Viceroy returned to-day from a tour of Kashmir. His return to tho capital synchronises with the announcement of the final election results.—(A. PARIS PRESS COMMENT. LESSONS FOR FRENCH PARTIES(Received 1, 12.5 P.m.) Paril, Oct. 31 Commenting on the results of the British ■ elections, “lie Journal” forecasts the formation. of a Government inspired with the sentiments which led to th© birth of the Entente Cordiale. In the main the return to political stability will benefit British trade and industry. . , The “Echo de Paris’’ states that the advent of a Socialist Premier in Britain seriously affected the fortunes of the parties in France. Italv aricl Belgium. Th© victory of the Conservatives will have an entirely different effect. • “Le Gaulois” states that unless M. Herriot decides to put on tbo brake on the steep decline down which international events are pushing him. ho will be swept away like Mr. MacDonald. “Le Homme Libre” states that th® victory of the Conservatives will not efface the memory of the work of Mr. MacDonald at the London Confereme. “Le Journal Industrie” says that the British reaction will have a salutary effect in France. It will render the greatest nerviest* the Left partis, which will now recognise better the necessity for a policy of reality. The “Quotidien rr saysj There is no analogyWween the French and British situations. Mr. ’MacDonald fell because his hands were tied by internal affairs, but M. Herriot has nis hands free and must pursue a policy of freedom and energy.—(Reuter). THE LATEST RETURN. CLEAR MAJORITY OF 209. (Received 1, 1.35 p.m). London, Oct. 31. The Conservatives at present have a clear majority of 209, the position of the parties being:— 405 Labour 152 Liberals 40 Others 4 Fourteen results have not been declared.—(Reuter.) LABOUR’S ACHILLES HEEL, THE CLYDE GROUP. Writing last June, the political correspondent ofj the “Spectator,’’ commenting on the waves of restlessness passing over the Labour benches, remarked that they nearly all emanated from the “Clyde men.” These men, not all from Clydebank, he said, comSrise by far the most important group i the Socialist movement by reason of their tremendous vitality and genuine intellectual attainments. It is a great mistake to treat them, as they are occasionally treated, with contempt. The most important of them are Mr. Wheatley, who represents them in the Cabinet (returned), Mr Shinwell, Minister of Mines (defeated), who is of Jewish extraction; Mr McLean, the Scots whip; Mr Campbell Stephen, once a minister of the Church and now a barrister; Mr Maxton. the most dramatic figure in the House and perhaps the bitterest of them all; Mr Weir, and that famous duo, Messrs David Kirkwood and George Buchanan. . . . They are impatient of theories and words and demand action—if necessary force, for they realise too fully that nothing is being done to help “their people.” It is this that makes them savage and may drive them to advocate violent revolution. They are not much interested in world politics, and are passionately national in outlook. . . Last but not least, they are wildly sentimental. . . lam convinced that when the split in the Labour ranks comes, it will come -from them. At the moment they retain a deep admiration for Mr MacDonald,, a fellow Scotsman enthroned by themselves. But for how long? Mr MacDonald remains immerged in world problems, consumed with a disable ambition to bring peace to a distracted Europe. But in the House of Commons talk goes on while £iTe unemployed tramp the streets and the houses do not get built. It is this that will precipitate the crash. It is interesting to note that the “Clyde men” have jnore in common with certain members of the Unionist Party than with many members of their own. . . Present disintegrations and tenuc-ncics make it quite certain that the future lies in tho hands of tho Progressive Unionists if they will go forward with sincerity and courage.”