Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1929-06-09
LABOR|TES TACKLE
BRITISH PROBLEMS
MacDonaId's Cabinet Goes
Right to Work at Short,
Informal Meeting.

BY the Associated Press.
LONDON. June 8.--The British gov
eminent tonight was under the direc-
ton Of Labor and that party had en-
tered upon its second administration
today amid many evidences of popular
good will.
In formal dress, Ramsay Macdonald,
the new prime minister, and his col
leagues. called today on King George
at Windsor Castle, where so many SIM
liar historic ceremonies have been held,
and received the seals of Office which
the Conservatives had surrendered as
the result Of the general election on
May 30.
Plunge Into Work.
The new political chiefs OF the nation
plunged Immediately into their tasks
with a short informal meeting at 10
Downing street. The cabinet will meet
again on Monday morning to work out
the Labor program for solving domestic
and international problems Of state.
Ovations from metropolitan throngs
greeted the ministers, both while they
were going to and returning from
Windsor The premier shared the lime
light with his minister Of labor, Miss
Margaret Bondfield, the first woman to
hold a post in the British cabinet.
The crowds today singled out this
pleasant faced woman, who looks
younger than her Sc years: VINO mas
broken through centuries OF tradition
to take a place beside men In the
highest council Of the nation. She APP
peared less nervous than her male COL
leagues.
Not Excited Over Prospect.
ooh. dear mol" she laughed easily
when asked If she was excited at the
prospect of the career before her. After
40 years Of blazing a trail one ceases
to be excited about things. OF course
1 feel highly honored TO think I am the
first woman to become a cabinet
minister and I am particularly pleased
to think I now have the opportunity 10
get right down TO work with the prob
lem which has always interested me"
To the great satisfaction OF the new
ministers and all the country King
George appeared to bear the physical
strain of the ceremony today with per-
feet ease despite his long illness and re-
cent indisposition.
Parmoor First to Get Seal.
The sovereign received the new min
listers one by one. Lord Parmoor, lord
president of the council, was the first
To receive his seal. After him was the
lord chancellor who was given the great
seal of England Mr. Macdonald was
next, and then came the others in order
of precedence. The premier said on
leaving the castle that the whole cere-
mony of swearing In and kissing the
hand of the sovereign had appeared 10
have not the slightest i'll effect on his
ma jesty.
At the Downing street meeting the
ministers heard words of encouragement
and guidance from their leader. Besides
the eternal fundamental problem OF
finances. the Laborites' most outstand-
ing objects of attack will be unemploy-
ment at home and the question OF arma-
ments in dealing with foreign powers.
Snowden Pleases Macdonald.
For the task Of financing his gov
eminent, Mr.. Macdonald is generally
regarded as fortunate to have at the
exchequer Philip Snowden, long serl-
Gus student of fiscal matters. who had
experience in his post during the former
Labor tenure of power He may nave
something to do with foreign relations
also, for throughout the campaign ne
diligently agitated discussion of the IN
ternational debt settlements on which
he attacked the Baldwin government.
Foreign Minister Henderson is an
other veteran Of the first Labor gov
eminent. although he headed another
department. j. H. Thomas, especially
designated to fight the economic bur-
den of unemployment. is minister
who is bound to be consistently in pub
lie notice as one of the main supports
of the administration.
Fair Chance to Be Given.
Judging by newspaper comments
Prime Minister Macdonald appears to
have the good will of even some stanch
supporters of Tory and Liberal groups.
This is doubtless owing to the wide
spread belief in his moderate purposes
TO remain in office he will need tins
support from members in the other
parties.
Business and industry have looked
with a favorable eye OH the selections
for the Labor cabinet and there Is EVIL
dent a disposition to give the new
ministry a fair chance and the fullest
opportunity Of making good.