LABOUR GOVERNMENT

Manawatu Standard, Volume XLIX, Issue 162, 10 June 1929, Page 7

LABOUR GOVERNMENT

DIFFICULTIES AHEAD

EFFECT ON LEAGUE’S WORK

GERMAN DELEGATES ELATED. (United Press Association —By Electric telegraph—Copyright.) (Australian Press Association.) Received June 10, 11.45 n.m. LONDON, June 9. Signs that there are difficulties ahead of Mr Ramsay MacDonald’s Government have not taken long to show themselves. The first evidence of internal difference appeared to-day, when the National Council of the Independent Labour Party, after a session lasting two days, adopted a resolution dissenting from an article in the New Leader, written bv Mr H. N. Brailsford, favouring collaboration with the Liberals. The council emphatically reaffirmed the Independent Labour Party Conference’s opposition to collaborations on tho ground that it would bo fatal to the Socialists’s purposes, for which the Government attained power. Atop of Trotsky’s sudden application for permission to come to Britain, the Moscow Investia, while viewing the MacDonald Government coldly and sceptically, demands it to take immediate steps to bring tho relations between the Soviet and Britain out of the deadlock brought about by the Conservatives.

The Morning Post’s correspondent at Madrid states: “Tho advent of Mr MacDonald is already affecting the work of the League Council. The German delegate, Herr Schubert, strongly opposed tho report on minorities hy the Committee of Three, headed by Sir Austen Chamberlain, and an open rupture with M Briand was narrowly averted.

“Thero is tho greatest elation among the Germans, who are indulging in the wildest talk of a complete reversal of British policy. They envisage Mr MacDonald supporting tho German demand for the revision of the Silesian frontier and the abolition of the Polish corridor, as well as tho immediate evacuation of the Rhineland.” Mr A. Henderson, Foreign Secretary, interviewed by the Daily Herald, stated: “I shall do my utmost to seek to strengthen the bonds of friendship between Britain and America and make the Kellogg Pact fully effective. “Regarding Russia, I shall expeditiously open up negotiations to put diplomatic and trading relations between Britain and Russia on a satisfactory basis.”

VISIT TO WINDSOR.

SEALS OF OFFICE,

AUDIENCE WITH HIS MAJESTY,

(Australian Press Association.) LONDON. June 8. The new members of the Cabinet, attired in traditional frock coats and silk hats, including the immaculatelydressed Sir Oswald Mosely, took a special train to Windsor, and were driven in state to the castle. At the castle was liekl a meeting of tho Privy Council for the purpose of swearing in non-members, including Miss Bondfield, who is the first woman member. Thereafter they went to the Audience Chamber, whero each received his seal and kissed the King’s hand. Large crowds assembled at Windsor to see the new members of the Cabinet arrive. , A journalist asked Miss Bondfield if she were nervous. She replied: “Oh, no. After forty years blazing the trail one ceases to be over-excited, though I feel highly honoured in making history as the first woman to enter the Cabinet.” After receiving the seals, Mr MacDonald made the following statement : “Myself and my colleagues were highly delighted to find the King looking so well, and to see how magnificently he was able to go through the ceremony without any sign of strain or ill-effects.” A Court circular issued to-night pointed out that the King’s physician, Lord Dawson of Penn, was sworn in as a Privy Councillor along with the members of the new Cabinet, thus avoiding a separate ceremony. When they returned to London the Cabinet met at Downing Street, and the Ministers visited their departments. When Parliament meets on June 25, Captain A. E. Fitzroy will be re-elected Speaker. Mr Robert Young, a Labourite, will be nominated as DeputySpeaker.

After the formal opening with the King’s Speech on July 2, the Government is not expected to encounter serious difficulty during the debate on the Address-in-Reply, after which Parliament will adjourn for a week and thereafter until October, when the Government will introduce its main legislative proposals. NEWSPAPER COMMENT.

The Daily Herald, commenting on the new Ministry, claims that Mr MacDonald’s is truly a national Government. “The eyes of expectant millions throughout the world are upon the new "Ministry, and it will not disappoint them,” the Herald adds. The Daily Chronicle states that it is a stronger Cabinet than that of 1924. Some have foreseen features, such as Mr Justice Sankey’s appointment, as Lord Chancellor, which is universally approved, but have not foreseen the appointment of Mr Webb as Secretary of State for Dominion Affairs, which will be regarded as equally admirable. The Daily Express states:" “Mr MacDonald has been guided by the necessity of administering the departments and the ability to explain and defend the departments in the House. Judged from these viewpoints the Cabinet is unquestionably strong. Miss Bondfield’s appointment as Minister of Labour possesses novelty, but it will have the respect of the House of Commons, and she should do well. Altogether it is an impressive Cabinet. The nation hopes and believes that before it has run its course much good will have been done.

The Morning Post states: “It is probably as good a Cabinet as a Socialist Prime Minister could have formed. Does not Mr Jowitt’s conversion prove that Liberalism is not a barrier against Socialism, but a bridge to it?” The Daily Telegraph states: “Mr Henderson’s appointment as Foreign Secretary can hardly be welcomed. It is well to remember that ho went to Geneva in 1924 and initialled the illomened protocol. Mr Webb has no doubt been awaiting a call to the Upper House.” The Daily Mail states: “What the country wants is a sober, businesslike Administration. If Mr MacDonald gives it then his Government may last a good deal longer than some prophets imagine.”

NEW DOMINIONS SECRETARY.

SCOPE FOR ORGANISING MIND

(Times Cables.) LONDON, June 8. The Times states: “Mr Webb’s transference to the House of Lords, which seems to follow as a matter of course, perhaps will help keep Empire questions outside party politics but

will necessitate the most careful selection of his Under-Secretary.” The Times adds: “Mr Webb’s organising mind should have a chance to display itself in the work of the Dominions Office. No field offers a more promising opportunity than that allotted him.” LIBERAL PARTY EXECUTIVE. (Australian Press Association.—United Service.) LONDON, June 8. The executive of the Liberal Party met for three hours at Preston to-day. It was decided that Mr Jowitt, K.C., who “walked over” to the Labour Party, should not be asked to resign. EFFECT ON STOCK MARKETS. MR. JOWITT’S ACTION CONSIDERED. (Australian Press Association.—United Service.) LONDON, June 8. The stock markets thus far have not reacted to the Conservative defeat to anything like the extent expected, thereby discomfiting “bearish” speculators. The 'Stock Exchange remained unflurried even when incomplete returns suggested a complete Labour victory. SASKATCHEWAN DEADLOCK. (Australian • Press Association. —United Service.) VANCOUVER, June 8. A messago from Regina states that the final election returns show that the Liberals and Conservatives have tied, with 26 members each, in the Saskatchewan Legislature, with two deferred elections. r

Control therefore passes to five Progressives and four Independents.