DISSOLUTION LIKELY.

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXVIII, Issue 20990, 29 September 1931, Page 9

DISSOLUTION LIKELY.

BEITISH PARLIAMENT. DECISIVE WEEK ARRIVES FREE TRADE OR TARIFF. COUNTRY TO DECIDE. PARTY DIFFERENCES. By Telesrraph—Pre«s Association—Copyright (■Received September -S. 10.15 p.m.) LONDON". Sept,. 28. Ft, is now anticipated that the Prime Muiistei", rVTr. MncDonald, at to-day's Cabinet meeting will acquaint, his colleagues of his decision regarding the holding of a general election. The Daily Herald's political correspondent, however, declares that new efforts are being made to avoid an election, owing to the delicacy of the situation at the India Round Table Conference, and also because of the Liberals' revived activity against tariff:?. The political correspondent of the Times says the decisive week has arrived. The King will return to London from Balmoral to-morrow. It is expected that a meeting of the Privy Council will be held on Thursday, and this week is likely to see the end of this Parliament. A dissolution will probably take place next week. The Herald editorially admits that an early election is likely, with the control of the Bank of England and effective supervision of the joint stock banks as a leading plank in the Labour platform. Election the Only Solution. The Sunday newspapers are unanimously of opinion that a general election is imminent. The Observer says the Conservatives are convinced that an election is the only solution of the political situation, and they now await Mr. MacDonald's decision whether he will lead a national party to the country. It is estimated that the party will have the help of the votes cast for Liberals at the last election.

It is believed that support for Mr. Maci Donald among Labour electors is larger ; in the country than is indicated in the House of Commons. A new Government ' would therefore have a compact, decisive : majority. Mr. J. L. Garvin, editor of the I Observer, says the timely adoption of a I tariff with preference provisions is j Britain's sure and splendid chance, but | her last. It, is now or never. An Imj perial Conference would at last be sum- ' moned with an assurance of practical sucl I cess. Manifesto on Free Trade. • The political correspondent of the I Observer says Viscount Grey and Mr. Lloyd George have decided, if there is an : immediate election, to issue a strougly- ; worded free trade manifesto charging the ; Conservatives with making party capital j out of the national emergency. | A British Wireless message says public ; interest in the political situation has i greatly increased within the past few i days, owing to the discussion which is proceeding on the question of a general election. i It is generally recognised that the finan- ; ciai and economic situation demands a I period of steady reconstruction at. home, i and the restoration of confidence abroad, but there is .1 wide difference of opinion ;as to whet her this could be mora i effectively achieved by a continuance in j oifico of the present National Governj menfc, with the present Parliament, or by I a Government supported by an adequate ! majoritv in a new House of Commons | after an appeal to tho electorate, j -is Parliament must either be prorogued I or dissolved in the week after next, an i early decision on this question must be i reached. To-day Mr. Henderson will ! ask in the House of Commons when the i Government hopes to bring to an end this : part of the session. I j 31E. THOMAS' STAND. | WILL RE-CONTEST SEAT. ATTITUDE TOWARD TARIFFS. i LONDON, Sept. -7. A general election is inevitable and cannot long be delayed," said Mr. J. H. Thomas, Secretary of State for the Dominions, ;n the course of a speech to railwaymen at Derby. He announced that lie intended to reeontest that seat under Mr. Mac Don a Id's leadership. "It is important that the foreigner should not be left in doubt that an overwhelming mass of Britons supports the National Government," said Mr. Thomas. " It is madness to suggest, that tariffs will solve all our economic problems, but, the position of the trade balance is .1 danger signal which must bo faced. I will face it even if it includes tariffs."