NO LEAD

Southland Times, Issue 20791, 4 June 1929, Page 7

NO LEAD

POLITICAL CRISIS MR BALD WIN REMAINS SILENT INTERVIEWS DECLINED RESIGNATION URGED [United Tress Assn.—By Telegraph—Copyright.) (Rec. 7 n.m.) London, June 2. In serene isolation at Chequers Mr. Baldwin during the week-end kept interviewers at bay, but by no means stifled the welter of conjecture as to what he will advise Cabinet to-morrow. During Saturday and again to-day he had a long conference with the party manager, Mr. J. C. Davidson, who, like his leader, can- play the part of the sphinx, so no lead came from Chequers. Gossip at Westminster and in the clubs shows a good deal of support for Sir Austen Chamberlain’s hope that Mr. Baldwin will face the House and put the onus on the Liberals, but olhers are urging Mr. Baldwin to resign immediately and so deprive Labour of the cry that a defeated party Is clinging to office. These advocates find a new significance in a passage in Mr. Baldwin’s last pre-elec-tion broadcast in which he said: “The country must choose between Mr. Lloyd George, Mr. Macdonald, and me; I will accept the verdict.” The sentence at the time was merely regarded as an expression of the obvious, but it is now interpreted as meaning that Mr. Baldwin had made up his mind to resign if his party were beaten. Mr. Lloyd George had a stream of visitors at his country home. It is remarked that his party is slightly stronger numerically, but infinitely stronger in personalities. In fact he has rather an embarrassment in that his capable lieutenants are all leaders in affairs. It will tax their resource and skill to shape a policy prior to June 25. Some quarters are inclined to see in Mr. Macdonald’s gestures a bait for Liberal cooperation, letting him tackle unemployment. Mr. Philip Snowlen says that Mr. Lloyd George “pinched” Labour's scheme for reducing the workless. Whether this is true or not Mr. Macdonald has since ascribed the defeat of the Conservatives to their failure to grapple with the greatest humanitarian issue. He says that if a Labour Ministry takes the front bench it will shoulder the task immediately. Whether or not this is a political straw showing the way of the wind is a matter of mere conjecture. Having disposed of the affair of the ballot box the country seems next intent on having its relaxation or Derby Day, till when nothing may happen politically. In the meantime the Morning Post has a final editorial lilt entitled "Enemies in Disguise,” in which it assails the Beaverbrook and Rothermere Press for "sit on the rail” election tactics, especially in relation to the latter’s slogan “Keep Out the Socialists” - —with the only result that the new House is dominated by Socialists.—Australian Press Association.

LABOUR MINISTRY LONDON NEWSPAPER’S FORECAST. (Rec. !) p.m.) London, June 3. The Daily Express says: Mr Macdonald has framed the main appointments in the event of his being called to form a Ministry. They are as follows: Lord Privy Seal, the Rt. Hon. Arthur Henderson. Chancellor of the Exchequer, Mr Philip Snowden. Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs, Mr J. 11. Thomas. Secretary of State for War, Dr. 11. Dalton. Lord President of the Council, Baron Arnold. Secretary of State for Air, Lord Thomson. Minister of Labour, the Rt. lion. T. Shaw with Miss Lawrence its Parliamentary Secretary. Minister of Health, Mr A. Greenwood with Miss Bondfield as Parliamentary Secretary. President of the Board of Trade, the Rt. Hon. William Graham. Minister of Agriculture, the Rt. Hon. Noel Buxton. Minister.in charge of the Overseas Trade Office, the importance of which will be increased, Mr A. V. Alexander. Minister of Education, Sir C. P. Trevelyan. Secretary of State for the Dominions, Mr T. Johnston. Secretary of State for India, Lord Olivier. Minister of Pensions, the Rt. Hon. F. 0. Roberts. Secretary of State for Scotland, the Rt. Hon. W. Adamson. Chancellor of the Duchy of Lancaster and representative at the League of Nations, Sir Oswald Mosley. Ixird Chancellor, Lord Parmoor. Attorney-General, Sir Henry Slesser. Solicitor-General, Mr Melville or Mr Holford Knight. Other appointments may be the Rt. Hon. J. Wedgwood, Commander J. M. Kenworthy, the Rt. Hon. F. W. Jowett, Mr H. B. Lees-Smith, Mr T. Kennedy and Miss Wilk-inson.—-Australian Press Association.

THE TIMES SUMS UP LABOUR SHOULD HAVE CHANCE. INTENTION OF THE NATION. (Rec. 9 p.m.) London, June, 3. The Times states: The day’s outstanding fact of the election is that Labour'will form the next Government by virtue of its having the largest following in the House of Commons; that is the nation’s manifest intention. Labour may dismiss the suspicion that the Conservatives arc fabricating an unholy alliance for the purpose of obstructing it. Whether Mr Baldwin resigns or awaits the House of Commons’ dismissal in three weeks’ lime is of relatively small importance. Mr Baldwin himself probably feels that even to appear to hesitate is like a batsman questioning the umpire’s decision. The arguments pro and con on the subject of immediate resignation arc closely balanced. There can be no question of seeking Liberal support to prolong the life of the Government though signs of it in certain sections of the Press would be as welcome to certain nervous souls as it would be to tadpoles and tapers who haunt the muddy waters. Mr Lloyd George can effectually put the Socialists into power. The method and manner of their assufning it matter little, but, what does matter is that, there should be no suspicion of manoeuvres afoot to rob Labour of the fruits of its victory.—Times Cable. LABOUR EXECUTIVE MEETING THIS WEEK. POLICY TO BE CONSIDERED. (Rec. 9.40 p.m.) London, June 3. The Times states that the National Executive of the Labour Party meets during the coming week to hear the opinions of party leaders, especially Mr Macdonald’s, and shape a policy enabling the Labour Party to assume office and maintain itself therein for two years, which are essential to the'maturing of Labour’s plans, and ensuring the introduction of two Budgets. If the second is not carried they will go to the country thereon, but it is necessary in this connection to have either the Liberal’s support or their benevolent neutrality. Con-

sequently, Labour is most likely to choose from the programme of measures which the Liberals favour and postpone definitely the Socialistic legislation until a more convenient time.—Times Cable. TO MEET HOUSE? PREMIER’S PROBABLE COURSE. DEFINITE NEWSPAPER OPINIONS. (Rec. 7 p.m.) Rugby, June 2. Further election results were declared yesterday. The Conservatives held two seats for Cambridge University, and Dr Graham Little (Independent) was returned for London University. Four Scottish results declared yesterday added three more Liberals to the number of that party in Parliament, and one more to the Conservative total. Nine are still to be declared. The fact that no party has a clear majority creates an interesting situation. The first i step rests with Mr Baldwin. Two courses are apparently open to the Prime Minister who is considering the situation during the ’ week-end at Chequers preparatory to meetj ing his colleagues next week. He may reconstruct Cabinet and proceed to meet Parliament when it assembles on June 25 or he may forthwith resign. It is argued that Parliament should de- ' cide whether a change of Government is de- ’ sired, and that the result of the election ’ does not entitle Mr Baldwin to hand over the Government to Labour, which is also ’ in a minority. It is also contended that the ! decision of the electorate should be accepted and the Labour Party bo given the op--1 portunity of presenting the King’s Speech, with which Parliament will be opened. ! Sir Austen Chamberlain, in a speech at ’ Birmingham, said it was for the Prime Minister to decide his course of action, but ! he hoped Mr Baldwin would face the House and leave to Mr Lloyd George and the : Liberal Party the responsibility for the 1 situation they had created. The Daily Telegraph and the Daily Mail ; definitely state that the Prime Minister 1 will take this course. He will, it is said, ’ reconstruct his Ministry and present himself ’ before the new House with a programme of work to be accomplished during a brief session before the summer recess early in I August and await action by the opposition parties. Position Complicated. 1 The Morning Post says: "The Government’s position is unfortunately complicated by the illness of the King. There is no other consideration to tempt Mr Baldwin to remain in office a moment longer than is indispensable to the preliminaries of a change.” The Manchester Guardian urges that te handling during the next few weeks of important constitutional questions should be approached with care and deliberation. It considers that, it would be a misfortune if Mr Baldwin immediately resigns, and adds that if he decides to carry on until defeated there will be a whole month in which to cultivate the temper of the House and to explore the field for a possible compromise. The Daily Herald demands that Mr Baldwin at once resign so that the leader of the largest party may take over. Commenting on the immediate results of the polling most of the newspapers express surprise at the proportions of the Labour vote. Tire Times says: "Some of the general advance of that party may be due, no doubt, to the studied moderation in the programme put forward by its leaders, and the return in particular of Mr Ben Turner, who has shown considerable courage as a protagonist of industrial peace, is a welcome sign of the times. It is confirmation of this inference that the only retiring Communist member was heavily defeated and Coin->| munist candidates polled in every case the merest handful of votes.” The Daily Chronicle says: "One thing that emerges clearly is the need for electoral reform if the system of three parties is to be worked without injustice at the polls. The Liberals, with over 5,000,000 votes, are once more grossly under-repre-sented, while of the other parties the Conservatives come first in votes and second in seats.” On all hands it is agreed that the first experience of adult franchise has not been disappointing.—British Official Wireless.

THE LABOUR VIEW STATEMENT BY LEADER. DUTY OF PARLIAMENT. (Rec. 7.55 p.m.) London, June 3. The Daily Herald, in a exclusive interview with Mr. Macdonald, covers the points which can be crystallized. “Mr. Baldwin should lose no time in telling the country what he is going to do,” states Mr. Macdonald. “Labour claims that it is the only alternate Government. Labour holds and is going to keep the initiative.” A significant passage is: “It will be the duty of the House of Commons to give effect to the electors’ will if Mr. Baldwin decides to await a vote of censure. It is clear to me that the country wishes the new parliament to remain in being making the best of its mandate and not to go flying back to the constituencies because of purely partisan feeling. An election in a few months might suit the ample coffers of the Tory and Liberal Parties.” The Daily Herald editorially demands Mr. Baldwin's instant resignation, and warns the Liberals that by supporting Mr. Baldwin they are only hastening their own- extinction.

The Daily Express, after editorially calling on Mr. Baldwin to resign, features its political correspondent’s deductions. If Mr. Baldwin instantly resigns Labour will then have to take office without completing a deal with the Liberals and with diminished prospects of doing so, but if Mr. Baldwin remains it will make co-operation between the Socialists and the Liberals a greater reality than now. The Daily Express understands that Mr. Lloyd George has come to the conclusion that the Liberals should not support Mr. Baldwin in the event of there being a vote of censure; also that the Conservatives are divided among themselves, though the majority are in favour of facing the House.-— Australian Press Association. VICTOR V DEMONST NATION LABOUR PARTY’S IDEALS. • (Rec. 10.25 p.m.) London, June 3. Mr J.. Maxton, speaking at the Labour victory demonstration at Glasgow, said: “Even if we do not control Britain we are going to have the opportunity of ruling and abolishing privation. A large proportion of the people who voted Labour have not had a decent meal for four years with an income less than 40/- weekly.' That has got to stop immediately. We say there should be neither rich nor poor, neither master nor serf, neither war nor thought of war. I stand here amid victory and say we will not cease work until we see around us the world of our dreams.”—Times Cable. DAILY TELEGRAPH’S ADVICE RECONSTRUCTION OF MINISTRY. (Rec. 9.20 p.m.) London, June 3. The Daily Telegraph says that constitutional usage and expediency alike demand that Mr Baldwin should reconstruct his Ministry and meet the House with a programme of progressive non-controversial measures common to all parties, leaving the responsibility of defeating it and forming another early election to his opponents. The Daily Mail, claiming 13,000.000 to 8.000.000 votes against Socialism, says that the Conservatives and Liberals must get together.—Australian Press Association. STATE AND THE CHURCH ARCHBISHOP’S PREDICTION. London, June 2. The Archbishop of Canterbury states: “I will only nermit- myself to say that if Mr Ramsay Macdonald forms a Govern-

ment the English State and the English Church will again pass under the rule of Scotsmen.”

A uniquely historic figure is Dr. Marion Phillips, who is the first Australian-born woman to enter the House of Commons. She attributed a large part of Labour’s success to womanhood suffrage. Her mother was born in Wellington, New Zealand, Ind she was taken to Australia when a year old. —Australian Press Association,