BRITISH ELECTIONS

Southland Times, Issue 19100, 19 November 1923, Page 5

BRITISH ELECTIONS

OLD ANIMOSITIES STILL BITTER THE BIRKENHEAD-CHAMBER-LAIN EXCLUSION THEIR ASSISTANCE CONFINED TO PLATFORM. (By Telegraph—Press Assn.—Copyright). (Australian and N.Z. Cable Association.) LONDON, November 16. In connection with the failure of Mr Baldwin's negotiations with Lord Birkenhead. Mr Austen Chamberlain, writing to Mr Baldwin, says he infers from the time that has elapsed that his and Lord Birkenhead's inclusion in the Government was not welcome to some of Mr Baldwin’s supporters, and concludes by intimating that their assistance must therefore he confined to platform support as originally contemplated. Mr Baldwin replied regretting that supernumerary Cabinet appointments on the eve of the election would have been to replace two existing colleagues which was unthinkable. Mr Baldwin’s letter to Lord Birkenhead expresses confidence that he would still give the Party full support at the election and particularly help Lord Derby to keep the flag flying in Lancashire. The Premier adds that what is not possible now may be more easily accomplished later when he hopes to achieve a complete union of the Party. Lord Birkenhead replied profoundly regretting that the common desire to wipe out the memory of past differences had been defeated by forces which neither can control. Parliament assembles on December 20. KING’S PROROGATION SPEECH. GENERAL REVIEW OF CONDITIONS. (Reuter’s Telegram). LONDON, November 16. The King in his Prorogation Speech regrets the failure to secure the assent of the French Government to the proposals for the appointment of a Reparations Commission of Inquiry and regards with profound anxiety the continuance of the present economic conditions in Europe. The serious situation which is developing in Germany is engaging the closest and most earnest attention of the Government. The Imperial Conferences were marked with great cordiality and goodwill, and particular attention was devoted to the promotion of trade and settlement within the Empire, upon which the well-being of my people at Home and overseas rests.” The speech expresses deep anxiety at the position of agriculture and continued unemployment. "My Ministers,” it states, “are convinced that unless measures safeguarding and developing the Home market are adopted, no permanent improvement in the situation may be expected.” PREPARING FOR THE CONFLICT. LABOUR ANXIOUS ABOUT PAYMENTS. LONDON, November 17. The three parties are issuing manifestos. There were two Cabinet meetings yesterday, the second one, at night, being devoted to a consideration of the Government’s declaration. Marquess Curzon was absent owing to illness. The Labour executive met and approved of their documents. The Labour members complain that the members serving in the last Parliament, if re-elected, will lose nearly two months’ pay, and they also protest against the delay in the swearing-in formalities after an election. GOVERNMENT’S PROSPECTS.SATISFIED WITH A FIFTY MAJORITY. LORD BEAVERBROOK’S CONTENTION. LONDON, November 18. (Received November 19, 0.10 a.m.) The Sunday Times’s political correspondent says the Government expect to lose seats in Lancashire, Yorkshire, and Scotland, but count on compensating successes in the districts affected by dumping and by the Liberal-Labour hostility, which factor also chastens the expectations of the other parties. There is no doubt the Government Whips will be well pleased if the precent majority is not reduced below fifty. Lord Beaverbrook, writing to the Sunday Express, declares the election is not justified in expediency, because it has disturbed Tory unity and re united Liberalism. and has also exposed the Government to the risk of serious defeat. At the same time, he advises the electors to vote for candidates supporting Empire development. LORD DERBY SUPPORTS PREMIER. VIEWS MEASURES AS TEMPORARY. LONDON, November 17. (Received November 18, 5.5 p.m.) Lord Derby, in the House of Lords, said »e hoped to get the best from two policies, by not being a hidebound free trader, and not going to the Protectionist extreme. He felt there were many cases where it was imperative to protect trades which were in danger of being crushed by dumping. At the same time he did not want exceptional measures to be regarded as permanent. He hoped, as times became normal, these measures would gradually fade away. He wished the election could have been ©voided, but recognised Mr Baldwin’s honesty and would support him. SUPPORT FROM INDUSTRIAL GROUP. LONDON, November 16. Sir Allan Smith has resigned the chairmanship of the industrial group of the House of Commons, which adopted a resolution supporting Mr Baldwin’s policy as being in the interests of British industry and Commerce. “A PREPOSTEROUS THING.” MR H. G. WELLS CYNICAL. . , LONDON, November 17. (Received November 18, 5.5 p.m.) Mr H. G. Wells addressing the teachers Labour League, said: "What a preposterous thing it is that a little man who has lost his head should.be able to plunge us again into the noise, confusion, expense and destruction of a general election.” FRANCE KEENLY INTERESTED. UNPLEASANT FOR HER EITHER WAY LONDON, November 18. (Received November 19, 1.10 am.) The Observer says France is taking a greater interest in the general election than in any event abroad for a long time. It is gradually dawning on the average Frenchman that the English newspapers, which have been telling him the British people are more in sympathy with M. Poincare’s policy than the British Government, may be mistaken. Whichever way the election turns out it is unlikely to be pleasant for M. Poincare. Protection would hit French exports, while a victory for Liberalism or Labour would not give a foreign policy any more friendly to M. Poincare than Marquess Curzon’s.