AN EARLY ELECTION

Wanganui Chronicle, Volume 74, Issue 229, 28 September 1931, Page 7

AN EARLY ELECTION

POLITICS IN BRITAIN TARIFFS AND THE EMPIRE ANNOUNCEMENT EXPECTED DISSOLVING PARLIAMENT LONDON, Sept. 25. The Evening Standard asserts that Mr. Ramsay MacDonald on September 30 will announce a dissolution of Parliament and an immediate election on a policy of tariffs and Empire. GENERAL OPINION MACDONALD’S RETURN. KING ALSO COMING BACK. LONDON, Sept. 25. The announcement of an almost immediate General Election may bo regarded as an “intelligent anticipation.” So much has been written on this subject for the past fortnight that it seems impossible that it can be staved off. Apart from ono or two notable exceptions, the Press regard* an appeal by the National Government under the leadership of Mr. Mac Don aid as a necessary evil. Mr. MacDonald’s return from holiday has had the effect of increasing the anticipation. Most commentators see in this the removal of all doubts as to an early appeal, and endorse tho Evening Standard’s exclusive announcement in ragard to September 30. Nevertheless, tho position is in no way definite. It is reliably learned that the subject has not been discussed by Cabinet since the middle of last week, but it is almost certain to be the predominant issue of Monday’s meeting. The King is due to arrive in London on Tuesday. Conservative opinion seems more and more impressed 'with the urgency of the appeal. It is contended that a new Parliament is an essential condition of a policy of trade reconstruction. Official Liberalism remains hostile, and there appears no likelihood of an agreement between tho Conservatives and Liberals. The real cleavage is Tariff v. Free Trade, despite the fact that an increasing number are responding to Sir John Simon’s lead. Men i while, Mr. Henderson, Leader of tho Labour Party, speaking at Burnley, expressed amazement that the country should be plunged into an election upheaval. The Conservatives, in their hysterical demand for an election, quickly forgot the national emergency. ECONOMY BILL COMMITTEE STAGES. MACDONALD’S HEALTH. [ British Official Wireless. ] RUGBY, Sept. 25. Consideration in committee of the National Economy Bill was resumed at the House of Commons this morning, and tho first part of the schedule dealing the National Health Insurance and ing the aNtional Health Insurance and Police was taken up. The Prime Minister, Mr. Ramsay MacDonald, who returned to London this morning after a brief rest in the country, attended tho House of Commons this afternoon, and a meeting of Cabinet was held in his room. After wards he left for Chequers, where he will spend the week-end. He is understood to have greatly benefited in health from the few days spent in the country. In the House of Commons to-day, the second of three days allotted to the committee stage of" tho National Economy Bill, Opposition amendments on the provisions relating to National tional Health Insurance and the Police were defeated. "AUTUMN MADNESS” ELECTION BEFORE CHRISTMAS SIR D. MACLEAN’S OPINION Received Sept. 27, 5.5 p.m. LONDON, Sept. 26. “An election before Christmas would be autumn madness,” said a member of the Cabinet, Sir Donald Maclean, speak, ing in Cornwall. “What would become of the pound sterling during the election turmoil, and who would safeguard the country against the profiteer?” he asked. “As Mr. (Snowden had announced that he would not be seeking re-election the nation would be deprived at a most critical moment of its trusted financial guardian and a great international figure respected and feared abroad.” POLITICAL LEADERS CONFERENCE AT CHEQUERS Received Sept. 27, 5.5 p.m. LONDON, Sept. 26. It is understood that it has been arranged that Messrs MacDonald and Baldwin and Sir Herbert Samuel should confer at Chequers on Sunday.