Crisis In Britain

Hawke's Bay Tribune, Volume XXI, Issue 214, 24 August 1931, Page 5

Crisis In Britain

Financial and Political Important Conferences Held Party Leaders Received by the King (Received 24,11.55 a.m.) London, August 23. Not since the opening of the general strike have such crowds filled Downing Street as were present to-night owing to the quickening public interest, chiefly by the King’s dash to London. The precincts of Buckingham Palace throughout the day were surrounded by people, while Whitehall and Downing Street had never their normal Sunday quiet appearance. By evening the crowds were dense in both Downing Street and outside the Palace. The Ministers had the greatest difficulty in elbowing their way to No. 10. Miss Margaret Bondfleld was held up by a constable and not allowed to pass till she had explained that she was member of Cabinet. More police had to be brought up to handle the throng. It was- eventually decided to take the unusual course of clearing the whole street.

PREMIER VISITS HIS MAJESTY. Cabinet met at 7 o’clock to-night. Mr. MacDonald, leaving No. 10 by the back door, visited His Majesty at 10.15 and remained less than half an hour. He returned to Downing Street, where he saw Sir Herbert Samuel. Cabinet dispersed at 10.50. A statement will be issued to-night. PARLIAMENT TO DECIDE CABINET’S FATE. ♦ (Received 24, 11.35 a.m.) London, August 23. The next Cabinet meeting is fixed for 7 o’clock on Sunday evening. The “Observer” says that Mr. MacDonald had a long conversation with His Majesty over the telephone after the events of yesterday, as a result of which His Majesty decided to return to London. The “Sunday Express” says that Cabinet decided to resist the temptation to resign and will take the responsibility of letting Parliament decide its fate. INCREASED TAXATION. “The Sunday Express” believes that the plans now include an internal luxury tax, the doubling of the entertainment tax, several forms of direct taxation, and reduction in the pay of civil servants, but the police pay may be only slightly minimised. The “Sunday Times” says that election talk is not credited in any quarter. The Ministry will be reconstituted or replaced. It may be taken for granted that Mr. Snowden will propose to increase the income tax and place higher duties on beer and tobacco; thus the Government hope to convince their supporters of the need for equality of sacrifice. The “News of the World” says that the Government has prepared a statement designed to reassure foreign opinion that the Budget will be balanced. This may be published tonjght and is hoped to end the financial crisis. As regards the political crisis, Mr. MacDonald has resolved to submit his policy to Parliament. It is learned that His Majesty’s decision to return to London was purely personal. He desired closer touch with the developments. No doubt the operation to the Duke of Gloucester was an additional incentive.

STATEMENT POSTPONED. (Received 24, 1.45 p.m.) London, Aug. 23. Mr. Baldwin, Sir Austen Chamberlain and Sir Josiah Stamp were called in consultation after 11 o’clock and departed after midnight, when Downing Street Intimated that no statement would be made to-night. PARTY LEADERS SEE THE KING. (Received 24, 9.45 a.m.) London, Aug. 23. It is officially stated from Downing Street that on the Rt. Hon. Ramsay MacDonald’s advice His Majesty asked the Rt. Hon. Stanley Baldwin and Sir Herbert Samuel to see him, because he wished to hear from them regarding the attitude of the respective parties. It is understood that these audiences have no relation to any possibility of the Government’s resignation. Mr. MacDonald explained to His Majesty the situation according to his own Impressions, and suggested that the Opposition leaders should be given a similar opportunity. MR. BALDWIN ARRIVES FROM FRANCE. (British Official Wireless.) (Received 24, 12.30 p.m.) Rugby, Aug. 22. Mr. Baldwin arrived in London to-night from France. While passing through Paris he was interviewed, and expressed the hope that he would shortly bo on his way back to Aix les Bains, where ho is spending a holiday. Mr. Lloyd George has not yet sufii cientiy recovered from his recent grave" illness to participate in the consultations; but Sir Herbert Samuel and Sir Donald MaeLcari are acting in close agreement with Lord Reading and other leaders of tho Liberals. FIRST SUNDAY MEETING FOR YEARS. (Received 24, 12.30 p.m.) Rugby, Aug. 23. H.M. the King arrived in London early this morning and proceeded to Buckingham Palace. Shortly after his arrival Mr. MacDonald called and' was received by the King, with whom he remained in audience for over an hour. Sir Herbert Samuel visited the

Palace early this afternoon and later Mr. Baldfirin was received by His Majesty. Great importance attaches to the decisions of Cabinet, which assembled at 10 Downing Street at 7 o’clock this evening for the first Sunday meeting of the Cabinet council for many years. It was still in session late to-night, nnd an authoritative statement is to be issued when it rises. FRENCH OPINION. "Times” Cables (Received 24, 10.20 a.m.) Paris, Aug. 23. The British crisis excludes all othei topics. Scant sympathy is felt for the Labour Government, which no party, except the Socialists, favoured, regarding it as too closely as sioeated with the Second International and an interpreter of the foreign policy thereof. Moreover, the aver age Frenchman believes that the financial troubles are due to the concessions to Germany; nevertheless, considerable anxiety is felt regarding a speedy solution, as a weakening of British credit will disastrously affect French trade and finance.