British Finances

Inangahua Times, 24 August 1931, Page 3

British Finances

(United Press Assn—By Electric Telegraph—Copyright.) CABINET MEETINGS Rugby Aug 21 When Cabinet met this evening it found that it was impossible to secure a full attendance, so it was decided to postpone discussion on the most serious problems until Saturday morning. Tbe “Daily Telegraph” adds that it was established on Friday night that the | Government had come to the conclusion that a tariff for revenue could not be [placed in its programme, as a split in the Cabinet and possibly the Socialist Party mieht occur, . and, moreover, it would nuke further Liberal assistance impossible.

The revenue tariff was definitely ruled out.

I It is understood that the Trades Union Coogress to-day told the Government that it preferred tariffs to a reducI bon in unemployment benefits. It is further stated that no suggestion was made by the Government for tbe imposition of a tariff or any other means of raising fresh tevenue which could be regarded as an alternative to drastic re« •renchmenr.

I The Government’s efforts to devise I proposals for balancing the Budget which I will be assured of a wide measure of I approval among ail parties in the House I of Commons con'inued throughout toI day. The broad outline of the economy I measure was laid before the General I Council of the Trades Union Congress I yesterday when its members, with the I National Execu iveotthe Labour Party, attended a joint meeting, which was ad- 1 I dressed by the Prime Minister, The I Labour Executive later decided to leave I the position with the Governmect, but I the General Council, after considerable discussion, communicated its views to Prime Minister through a deput 1. tiflo, which was received at Downirg Street late last niubt

A further meeting of Cabinet has been summoned for 9.30 to-morrow morniog.

I King Interviews Opposition Leaders Reed 9 45 a.m. London, Ang23 ! It is officially stated from Downing Street, that on Hon. R. MacDonald's advice, His Majesty has asked ! Messrs Baldwin and Samuel to see him because he wished to hear from them the position of the respective parties. It is understood that these audiences have no relation to any possibility of tbe Government’s resignation. Hon. R. MacDonald explained to His Majesty the situation according to his own impressions, and suggested that the Opposition leaders should have a similar opporluni.y. . W

Concern in France Times Service Reed 10 20 a m Paris, Aug 23 Tbe British crisis has excluded all other topics. Scant sympathy is felt for the Labour Government, which no party, except tbe Socialists, favoured, regarding it as too close y associated with the Second Inter natipnal and the interpreter of the 1 foreign policy thereof. Moreover the average Frenchman believes the financial troubles are due to the concessions to Germany. Neverthe less there is considerable anxiety regarding its speedy solution, as weakening British credit, which will I disastrously affect French Trade and I finance.

Premier Interviews the King Reed 11 35 a m London, Aug 23 The Cabinet met at seven o’clock to-night. Mr MacDonald, leaving No. 10 Downing Street, 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 Mr Samuel. The Cabinet dispersed at 10 50. A statement will be issued to-night.

Reed 1 25 p.m. Messrs Baldwin. Chamberlain and Joslah Stamp were called in con sultation after 11 o’clock and departed after midnight, when Downing Street intimated that a statement will be made to«night.

Intense Public Interest Downing Street Crowded Police Clear Street Reed n 55 a.m. Not since the opening of the general strike have such crowds filled Downing Street as were present to-night, owing to the [ quickening of public interest, chiefly by the King’s dash to London. The precincts of Buckingham I Palace throughout the day were I surrounded by people, while WhiteI bah and Downing Street were nevei I normal.

On Sunday it bad a quiet appearance, but by evening the crowds were very dense, both in ■ Downing Street and outside the Palace. Ministers had the greatest difficulty in elbowing their way to Number 10.

Mrs Bondfield was held up by a constable and not allowed to pass til' she explained that she was a member of the Cabinet, More police hid to be held up to handle the throng. I It was eventually decided to take the unufual course of clearing the whole street.

GANGSTERS IN NEW YORK THE GUN BATTLE Per United Press Assn.—By Electric Telegraph—Copyright.) m New York Aug 29 Three more persons, a policeman, a tsxidriver and a thirteen-year-old boy. are now in a critical cooditioos, and are likely to die, as tbe tesult of yesterday’s gun battle. The dead bandits have been identified as belonging to law-abiding families living in New York. They were only twenty years old. The pay roll which they tried to capture was one of only 4600 dollars. Popular feeling still runs high. The newspaper “New York American,’’ in a '! cksUaded caption on the front P «e, rays; “Citizens of New Yo k! This may be the fate of any of you unless you band together to put an end to the terrorism of crime. Every man and woman in the city should attend the mass meeting to-morrow night at the Central Park.’’

The newspaper adds;—“President HoovSr was shocked at the story of the widespread slaughter, and he has dire n ed an immediate investigation by Fed* eral detectives. Mr Walter Ferguson. Chief of the Secret Service on the Eastern Division, has been directed to proceed to New York to co-opmte with the Department of Justici and the police. He has also been designated to in. vestigate the position.’’ Far-reaching change* in the New York Police Department, acd in the signal and patrol system, with the in. troduction of radio-equipped amomnbiles for raoid concentration in any part of tbe city, have been announced by the Ac'ing-Mayor, Mr McKee; as the result of yesterday’s experience.