BRITISH POLITICS

Hawera & Normanby Star, Volume XLIII, Issue XLIII, 4 January 1924, Page 5

BRITISH POLITICS

MEETING OF CABINET.

PREMIER OPPOSED TO COALITION

ft' CABL*—PEEBB ASSOCIATION—COPYEIQHI LONDON, Jan. 3. Mr. Baldwin returned to Downing Street yesterday prior to a Cabinet meeting to-day, wiien the draft of the King's speech will be considered. In connection with a letter sent to Mr. Baldwin by the executive of the City of London Conservative Association on December 18, suggesting cooperation between the Conservatives and the Liberals to keep out a Labour Government,, the executive committee of the association declined to divulge the contents, but made a general statement of its views, declaring that the formation of a Labour Government would be contrary to the will of the people' and would be highly injurious to the nation's domestic and foreign policy. Therefore, either a Conservative or a Liberal Government should be formed, with support to each other, and in the event of Conservative Ministers proving impossible, the committee hopes the Conservatives will support a Liberal Administration. Following the suggestion of J;he City of London Conservatives that Mr Baldwin should approach Mr. Asquith with a view to co-operation as an alternative to a Labour Government, it is understood Mr. Baldwin replied that it was impossible for him to approach Mr. Asquith. in view of the latter's speech at the National Liberal Club. Mr. Ramsay Mac Donald, in an article in the New Leader, says the tendency during recent years has been to place one or two men to rule the Legislature of the country with absolute authority. This is bad, and a situation which restores liberty of decision to the House of Commons as a whole ought to be welcomed rather than regretted. Everything points to continued stalemate, the first effect vf which will be to loosen the party bonds, Mr MacDonald continues. The parties will rule in the House of Commons more by administrative success than party forcG, and legislation will have to be more in accordance with the public desires than now. This will tend to curb the partisanship of parties, and make them public servants rather than dictators Finally, Mr. Mac Donald asks: "Shall we be driven to fix a minimum as well as a maximum life for Parliament If so. the minimum should not extend beyond three years. The idea that the Prime Minister can go to the King when it suits himself, and within a short time of an election ask for a dissolution, is absurd."