TENSE SITUATION.

Star (Christchurch), Issue 17246, 12 January 1924, Page 5

TENSE SITUATION.

IN BRITISH POLITICS. By Telegraph—Press Association—Copyright Australian and N.Z. Cable Association. LONDON, January 10. The political correspondent of the “Daily Herald” says:—“‘lt is laid down by Act of Parliament that not more than five principal Secretaries cf State may sit in the House of Commons, but there are six such offices, namely Home, Foreign. War, Colonies, India and Air, therefore one must be a peer. Mr MacDonald must decide whether there is already a Labour peer qualified to hold such an office, or create a peer from the Labour members of the House of Commons. In any case it would be necessary to have a Labour representative in the House of Lords to conduct business and answer attacks.. It may be thought desirable to appoint two or three new peers Labour must work the machine as it finds it until it can be altered.”

THE TORY VIEW.

NEW’ YORK, January 10. Sir Robert Horne, M.P., formerly Chancellor of the Exchequer, arrive*! by the Majestic. He declared that, as soon as tho forthcoming Labour* Government had been ousted, th© King would call on Mr Asquith. Sir Roljert said that there was no danger of any radical legislation, because the Conservatives and Liberals could defeat it. Nevertheless, he de plored Labour’s ascendancy, and la voured immediate action to vote out a Labour Government as soon as it was installed. “ I would not venture to gue*s how long Mr Asquith could maintain himself following a Labour regime.”, he added “but he would stabilise tilings.” Sir Robert Horne is accompanied by Sir Auckland Geddes. the retiring Ambassador, who said: “ I have come simply to 6ay good-bye to my friends and return.” TALK OF COALITION. NEW YORK. January 10. The early formation of a coalition Government in Britain, which will overthrow the power of the Labour faction now in control of u the political situation is predicted by Sir Robert Horne. He says:—“lt is regrettable and ridiculous that the Labour-Socialist element should be permitted to control our Government.” Sir Robert predicted that the Liberal and Conservative groups would join and assume direction of the destinies of Britain under a coalition Government.

WOMEN MEMBERS.

LONDON. January 11. Tbe Women’s Election Organisation gave a banquet to the women members of the House of Commons. Miss Susan

Lawrence (Labour) was the only absentee. The company numbered 250. and Mr T. P. O’Connor, M.P., was the only man present. Lady Astor tcld Mr O’Connor: “You ’ are the father of the House and I am the mother. We have got to rule the family together ” j Miss Margaret Bondfield declared ! that it would soon be shown that fundaj mental changes in the government could occur without violence and bloodshed. The speeches foreshadowed the coj operation of women Commoners re- | garding Home questions.