NOT COALITION CABINET

Taranaki Daily News, 26 August 1931, Page 9

NOT COALITION CABINET

CONSERVATIVES’ ATTITUDE

DANGERS OF DISSOLUTION

NEED FOR CO-OPERATION

MR. BALDWIN’S CONFIDENCE

By Telegraph—Press Assn. —Copyright. London, Aug. 24.

The formation of a National Government was a guarantee that those knowing the facts realised the gravity of the situation and were resolved on immediate measures to put the country’s finances in order, said Mr. Stanley Baldwin to-day. “We are confronting a. grave national crisis which, if not courageously and firmly handled, will be fraught with serious consequences to every man, woman and child throughout the country,” he continued. “But the country has proved its greatness in times of national emergency, and I have sufficient confidence in the people to know that this occasion will not be an exception.

“A dissolution at this stage, followed by a general election, would be disastrous. This fact at present dominates the situation. The only means by which the national emergency can be met is close eo-operatiqn of all the parties, for which the Conservatives have consented for a limited period to enter the National Government, to balance the Budget and to restore confidence in national credit.

“This is not a question of permanent coalition, and no party has been called on to sacrifice any of its principles, but it is everybody’s duty to eschew party differences.”

Mr. E. F. Wise, M.P., on behalf of the Independent - Labour Party, has made a statement that the Labour Left-wingers welcome Mr. Henderson’s stand. They believe that the world financial crisis is being used in an attempt to stampede the country into panic legislation grievously harmful to workers, likely to increase unemployment and powerless to prevent a worldwide breakdown in trade. They will vigorously resist in the Commons. The British crisis monopolises attention in the German newspapers. The Vorwaerts says: "The fall of Mr. Macdonald’s Government is tragic. His second Ministry will occupy a glorious place in the history of the Labour movement. Its achievement in promoting international understanding will live long. Germany is particularly grateful for its support of the Rhineland evacuation. STRENGTHS OF THE PARTIES. LABOUR MEMBERS DOUBTFUL. After the last general election, held in May, 1929, the Labour Party had 287 members, the Conservatives 260, the Liberate 59, and there were 9 Independents. Mr. Baldwin resigned on June 4 and the King summoned Mr. Macdonald, who formed a Cabinet* which was sworn in on June 8. The leading members were those who had had previous Ministerial experience in the 1924 Cabinet. These included Mr. Arthur Hendereon, Foreign Secretary, Mr, P. Snowden, Chancellor of the Exchequer, Mr. J. H. Thomas, Lord Privy Seal, to devote •his time to unemployment (later Secretary for the Dominions), Mr. J. R. Clynes, Home Secretary. Of the new Ministers, Mr. Wedgwood Benn was Secretary of State for India. Miss Bondfield, as Minister of Labour, was the first women to enter a British Cabinet. Sir John Sankey became Lord Chancellor, as Lord Sankey, and Sir William Jowitt—long a Liberal—joined the Labour Party and was appointed AttorneyGeneral. Mr. Sidney Webb became Lord Passfield, and Secretary for the Dominions and Colonies.

It is not possible to state definitely the -actual membership of the various parties, as there have been various splits and defections. The several by-elections did not change the party representations much, but the Labour Party has been affected by the formation of the "Mosley Group,” and several prominent- Liberals have dissociated themselves from the leadership of Mr. Lloyd George. Mr. Baldwin met the challenge of Lord Beaverbrook in connection with the Empire Crusade, and obtained the confidence of his party.

MR. BALDWIN’S PATRIOTISM

HOPEFUL AUGURY FOR FUTURE

NEW ZEALAND'S KEEN INTEREST.

Wellington, Last Night.

"The first thing that strikes one in connection with the development in Great Britain is,” said the Rt. Hon. G. W. Forbes, “the patriotism Mr. Baldwin as head of a very strong Opposition party has shown in accepting office under Mr. MacDonald, and Mr. MacDonald is to be commended for taking a course which undoubtedly is in the interests of the Empire. -It indicates that when the necessities of the country call these men are prepared to sink personal and party ambitions. With such a spirit in evidence .one feels more hopeful of the future concerning affaire in Great Britain.

“There is no doubt that the Old Country has her difficulties, and these are becoming greater. We in New Zealand are very closely concerned with the prosperity and well-being of Great Britain because that is the market for our products. If anything goes wrong with our principal customer it must react upon us. The knowledge that her Parliamentarians have set out for stabilisation of the political situation augurs well for action concerning industrial and commercial problems. “The question of Imperial preference will now come into greater prominence than ever before and will assuredly receive more serious consideration than has been devoted to this important subject in the past.”

LIBERAL CANDIDATE WITHDRAWS

BY-ELECTION AT GUILDFORD.

London, Aug. 24.

Mr. Somerset Brooke, the Liberal candidate in the Guildford by-election, which was necessitated by the death ■of Sir H. C. Buckingham (Conservative) announces his withdrawal, this being hie- contribution to the success of the National Government.