Censure

COMMONWEALTH (British Commonwealth of Nations)

In Parliament, strenuous efforts were made by the Conservatives and the Liberals in preparation for causing the downfall of the Labor Government by carrying votes of censure.

Conservatives. The Conservatives decided to move a vote of censure condemning the Government for abandoning prosecution for sedition against J. R. Campbell, acting Editor of the Communist daily, The Workers' Weekly-- Liberals. The Opposition brought a number of questions concerning Rus-sian affairs to the attention of the Government. Ex-Premier Asquith's motion for the rejection of the Anglo-Russian Treaty was also laid upon the table. The motion read : That this House will be ready to support any practical and businesslike steps for promoting Anglo-Russian trade and for protecting British interests in Russia and to approve the use of export credits and trade facilities for assisting trade with Russia on the same terms as with other foreign countries and our dominions; and, while welcoming a definition of fishing areas and fishing rights on the Russian coast, it is unable to approve the treaty which, instead of providing a genuine contribution toward solving the problem of unemployment, threatens to divert resources which are urgently needed for national and imperial development; and which, amongst other objections, contemplates that the British taxpayers should be made liable for further loans to the Russian State, raised by means of the guarantee of the British Government as a condition upon which any part of the private claims of certain British creditors should be recognized or met by the Soviet Republic.

During the season, when a statement was read saying that the Prime Minister had announced that he would be no party to increasing his own salary as First Lord of the Treasury/-, Sir

Kingsley Wood, Conservative, gratuitously asked: ". . . whether before that decision was arrived at, consideration was given to the fact that the present holder of the office had found the emoluments of his office insufficient and had to go to a private concern?" (TIME, Sept. 22).

"Dirty! Dirty!" cried angry Laborites, shaking their fists.

"Dave" Kirkwood, fiery Clydeside Laborite, stretched his index finger and pointed with scorn to the rash knight: "That," said he, "is a gentleman"; and there was no mistaking the grinding sarcasm.

The hubbub grew wilder and wilder until the Speaker arose. "I must insist," he warned the Laborites, "on honorable members allowing me to conduct the business of the House. I will not continue unless I have proper support." He then rebuked Sir Kingsley for having put a supplementary question which could not appear on the paper.

The Conservative motion was considered almost certain of defeat and the Liberals were expected to support the Government. But on the issue of the Anglo-Russian Treaty, the Conservatives and Liberals agreed; neither will support the Government. The Treaty was, however, not expected to come up for debate until November; and the indications were, despite the antipathy to a general election, that the Cabinet of Mr. James Ramsay MacDonald would fall and that the King would dissolve Parliament.

*On July 25. The Workers' Weekly published an article entitled An Open Letter to the Fighting Forces. This letter was virtually an incitement to mutiny. Sailors, soldiers, airmen were advised "to form committees in every barracks, aerodrome and ship, to refuse to shoot down your fellow workers, to refuse to fight for profits and to turn your weapons on your oppressors." They were told: "The next war is being prepared; and you will be sent to shoot, shell or bomb French or American workers in uniform. You are workers yourselves. Why do it?"

J. R. Campbell was arrested on Aug. 5 and charged at Bow Street Police Court with inciting mutiny. The trial was scheduled for Aug. 13, but the Public Prosecutor offered no evidence and the case was dismissed.

It was alleged that "for the first time in England's history, the course of Justice in the law courts had been changed by outside political forces." Sir Patrick Hastings, Attorney General, questioned in the House, said that the case was dropped because Campbell was a responsible editor and therefore conviction appeared to be unlikely. That he did not wish to dignify the Communists by martyring them was the follow-up he offered.

Conservative and Liberal newspapers joined forces in denouncing the Government's action in interfering with the course of Justice.

/-Premiers of Britain usually hold the office of First Lord of the Treasury jointly with that of the Premiership. The Premiership is unpaid and Premiers have to depend upon some other office for a salary. Premier MacDonald is also Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs, but does not receive any pay as such.