Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1923-11-14
MANDATE SOUGHT
MEANS EARLY end
BRITISH PARLIAMENT

London, Nov. 10. (By A. P.)-Yn o
brief but exciting reopening session
for parliament elected only q year
ago on the slogan Of TRANQUILITY
that parliament today found itself
condemnd to immediate death-not
because the government had suffered
defeat in the house or sustained re-
verses in by-elections, which are the
cutomary reasons for dissolution but
because Mr.. Baldwin, who succeeded
to the Premiership on the illness OF
the late Mr.. Bonar Law, seeks q new
mandate from the country authori-
zing his government to resort to pro-
tective duties on manufactures as
remedy for unemployment which is
the most difficult domestic problem
facing the government today.
In a speech explaining his position
to the house the prime minister said
that after giving the subject much
thought he became convinced that
he could not undertake to remain
through the winter in his present po-
sition unless he were allowed to use
an istrument which he had been pre-
cluded from using, having regard for
Mr.. Bonar Laws pledge.
AIARAoAAAA6 k41dt 410 W6AgG0 - 4A4A4~
date in time to include the new
duties in the next budget, he declar-
ed it was necessary to have elections
at the earliest possible moment. He
had addressed the king accordingly,
and he saw no reason why the parlt-
ament should not dissolve Friday.
Elections will be held December 6.
Brief criticisms of the governments
procedure followed from the liberal
leaders, who actively accused the
government of rushing the elections
to prevent the country from either
knowing or discussing what the gov
eminent proposed to do and with
voting motion giving the govern
ment the whole time of the house.
The exciting proceedings ended, the
house settled down to routine dis
cussion of the workmen's compensa-
ton bill committee, which must be
finished in the remaining few days.
So many members left the house,
having no further interest in mo-
ribund parliament, that in two divi-
sions on amendments to this bill the
government majority fell to twenty
and eleven respectively to the de-
light of the loborites who raised
derisive cheers.
There may be another exciting de-
bate Thursday. when J. Ramsay Mac
Donald. leader of the opposition, moves
a vote Of censure of the government
for it's failure to solve the unemploy-
ment problem. but the real interest
now is transferred from the parlia-
ment to the constituencies. None of
the various parties is too well prepar-
ed for elections, which have been
sprung Unexpectedly, and the whole
time of the members will be absorbed
in an intensive election campaign.
The immediate effect Of the govern
ment's sudden charge Of policy will be
a sudden realignment Of parties, or
rather, of party leaders. The two OPP
posing Liberal wings, led respectively
by Asquith and Lloyd George, have
become reunited under the free trade
banner. while If the Conservatives are
returned to power the new government
will be greatly strengthened by the
inclusion of Austen Chamberlain, Lord
Birkenhead and probably Sir Robert S.
Horne. who has abandoned his project
ed visit to the United States in order
to assist his party in the election cam
paign. and will possibly abandon his
business interest in order to rejoin
the government.
Reconciliation Of the Liberals was
fully effected today, and an official
statement issued tonight says that the
Asquithians and Lloyd Georgeites will
fight the election as a united party.
without regard to past differences Mr..
Asquith and Mr.. Lloyd George today
settled upon all plans, and Liberal
candidates will go to the polls in such
numbers as to make a united Liberal
government a practical alternative to
the present government.
All the parties are preparing to issue
manifestoes at the end of the week
and the famous political organizer, Wis.,
count Younger. chairman of the Union
| list party. is issuing from his retire.
ment to assist in the Conservative
campaign and everywhere feverish po-
| litical activity prevails. Should the
Conservatives be returned to power.
the new Conservative government will
complete it's organization probably with
Austen Chamberlain. Birkenhead and
Sir Robert Horne taking the place OF
it's free trade members like Derby,
Devonshire and Lord Robert Cecil.
Great crowds. sensing something OF
| the crisis, gathered outside the parlia-
ment buildings this afternoon. There
was even more animation in the house
itself. The usually quiet assembly for
prayers was punctuated by ironical
cheers exchanged between the different
parties.