BRITISH POLITICS.

Waikato Times, Volume 107, Issue 18027, 23 May 1930, Page 7

BRITISH POLITICS.

RIFT IN LABOUR RANKS. A FIRST CLASS CRISIS. ELECTION NOT IMPROBABLE. United Press Assn.—Elec. Tel. Copyright. LONDON, May 22. Nothing- more emphatic appears in the Conservative or -Liberal journals concerning- the gravity of the Labour Government’s position than an article published to-day in labour’s own organ, tiie Daily Herald. This says:— “A first-class political crisis has developed with exceptional swiftness. The Conservatives have determined to challenge the Government on the Naval Treaty; pressure is being put by the Liberals on the Government for an immediate decision in favour of proportional representation for urban areas and an alternative vote for rural districts; and inside t s e Parliamentary Labour Partj there is to be a critical divisio 1 on the unemployment programme of the Government.

“(Moreover there will he another critical division on Wednesday on the salary of the Lord Privy Seal, Mr J. H. Thomas. If the Conservatives and Liberals go into the same lobby and many Labour members abstain from voting or register hostile votes, the Government will he defeated.” The Herald lays stress upon the fact that the Ministry is subjected to a three-sided attack. People who are closely in touch with the Prime Minister, Mr MacDonald, think he intends to challenge defeat becaiise of his discouragement owing to the growing dissatisfaction in the ranks of the Labour Party. Il‘ he is defeated in. the House of Commons he will immediately ask for a dissolution.