BRITISH POLITICS.

Poverty Bay Herald, Volume L, Issue 16320, 2 January 1924, Page 3

BRITISH POLITICS.

CABINET MEETS TO-MORROW

(Australian and N.Z. Cable Association.) LONDON, Jan. 1.

Tho Morning Post's political correspondent says Cabinet is expected to meet on Thursday. Meantime a feeling lias grown favoring the replacement of members of the Government who lost thedr seats by men of the new House. It is argued that as the Conservatives are the largest party, Ministers should meet the House as a complete Government, prepared to carry on national affairs.

Earl Curzon, in a message .to the Primrose League, stresses the fact that the Conservatives are the only party which have any right to represent the country or l'ulo the State. If the Conservatives are evicted they must use all their strength to prevent politics being forced upon the country of which only a small minority of the electorate approved. They must also remember that the situation is so precarious that it cannot long endure. The country will in the near distance again have/ tho opportunity of giving a verdict. The Daily Telegraph's Parliamentary correspondent is also of the opinion that the Government will meet Parliament solidly prepared with a programme calculated to enlist the support of moderate men. Protection will 'be dropped, but the proposals agreed to- with.overseas representatives are. expc;.ted to he included in the programme.

APPEAL TO BALDWIN

MOVE 'FOR: CONSTITUTIONAL GOVERNMENT! t,

(Sydney Sun Cables.) (Received Jan. 2, 9 a.m.) LONDON, Jan. 1. A movement- towards co-operation to maintain government, on constitutional lines and prevent Labor's entry is growing among the rank and file of Conservatives and Liberals. The' City of London Conservative Association decided to appeal to Mr. Baldwin to approach Mr. Asquith and assure him of Conservative support if he is'willing to form a Government. It is considered Mr, Baldwin must explicitly ' reply to this ' leading party, organisation, representing. London's business and industrial life. It also is generally assumed that Mr. Baldwin cannot avoid summoning a meeting of [the Conservative party. PROSPECTS OF LABOR GOVERNMENT. ' ; . (Australian and N.SS. ■ Cable Association.) (Received January 2, 9.20 a.m.) LONDON, Jan. 1. The Daily Graphic asserts that a number of officials in diplomatic and civil services, occupying responsible posts throughout'the world, have given notice of their intention to resign in the event of a Labor Government' coming into power,

Tho Times says- the prospect of a. Labor Government is sufficiently seirious without listening to wild predictions and dismal forebodings, because the Laboriles include hardly a 1 man with experience of national administration,' Fortunately there will be a vigilant, 'informed Opposition, which must defeat any j.ttempt to practise dangerous theories Whether tho Opposition crystallises into a single party, created to combat Socialism, depends upon tho Laborites. LABOR AND PREFERENCE. (Sydney Pun Cables.) (Received Jan. 2, 11.25 a.m.) .LONDON, Jan. 1. Mr. Clynes, , defining the probable Labor Cabinet's attitude on preference, replied : As preference is part of the proposals recently rejected by the electorate f do not see how effect can ho given to the arrangements made before the issue was decided. More substantial advantage might be secured for the Dominions through better shipping and transport facilities, as well as deciding how best the producers can receive a larger part of the amount consumers paid for Dominion products. Ho declined to comment of Mr. Brace's speech, beyond describing it us a frank, fair statement of tha position. His argument was that Britain was not bound by the decisions of tho Conference until Parliament confirmed them. Ho would not discuss Mr. Brace's assertion that it would bo disastrous if the. decisions were not put into operation.