Later.
The Liberal amendment to the Conservative vote of censure, pro-Posing the appointment of a seléce committee to investigate and report the circumstances leading to the withdrawal of the "Workers' Weckers" proceedings, was carried in th House of Commons to-night by 364 votes to 198, The minority in the vital division was composed of 182 Labourites, 2 Conservatives, 2 Nationalists "and Liberals, including Mrs. Wint-bingham, Mr. Hogge and. Commander Kenworthy.
Later.
Pa lament Dissolved London. Oct. 9.
Their Majesties shortened their stay at Baluoral by twenty-four! hours and arrived at Euston Station, at 8 o'clock "his morning. They. proceeded at once to. Buckinizham Palace, where the King received Mr. Ramsay MacDonald at 10 a.m.
Later.
Before Sir Robert Home rose to move the Conservative vote of censure in the House of Commons Ramsay MacDonald his answer last week that the Cabinet was not consulted on the subject of the "Workers? Weekly" prosecution was due to a misunderstanding. The Attorney-General did report the whole ter, which was left in his hands.
Sir Robert Home had only uttered a few words, when he was interrupted by Ministerial laughter. The Speaker rose and molle it! ment had determined that as far fas they could help it Communist, propaganda should have no chances in Britain, "We are not Communists. "We are opposed to Com-manism." The vote of censure if carried would be a vote of nonecnfidenee in the Government.
Mr, MacDonald said that when he heard of the prosecution considered that it should never have been undertaken, because it would unduly advertise the Communist The Cabinet had asked the Otto, ney-General to come and tell them about the case, He (Mr. Mac-Donald) had then expressed the view that a prosecution once Iaunched should not be withdrawn except for express reasons, but as the responsibility rested with the Attorney-General_ the matter was left! there and after that he had nothing te do with the case. The opinions expressed by the Cabinet were not by way of giving instruction and did not originate from personal arty considerations. His sole con-ion had been that the Communist Party ought to be eountenance.
The Government were prepared to continue, but the House must in all fairness give the Government a satisfactory measure of confidence. The Opposition motion was a straightforward motion of non confidence. If that was the mind of the House let it say so (loud Ministerial cheers). 'The Liberals' amendment was very unfair and had a large amount of meanness eud Ministerial cheers). If either the censure motion or the Liberal amendment was passed then the Government would go (loud Ministerial cheers). That would be the fend of the high adventure of the Government, which, had contributed much to the honour of the' county and to social stability, and when the country bad an opportunity of coving their verdict on it the Gov-
2 ernment would come again isterial cheers).
No Question of a Packed Jury Mr, "Asquith contended that the Liberal amendment strictly accorded with precedent. He quoted the ease of the select committee to: inquire into the Jameson raid and also the inguiry into the Marconi affair. The Liberals were not wedded to any particular form of investigation, "If a select committee was appointed the Liberals would not ask for a place on it, so that there should be no suggestion that it was a packed jury. The suggest ed alternative of a judicial commission was unsatisfactory. would mean endless delay, but the Liberals would not object to any practical alternative to a select committee—but an investigation should be held immediately, Whilst. the debate in the House proceeded on party lines there were rumours that efforts were being made behind the scenes to arrange compromise on the basis of some kind of an inquiry as hinted by Mr. Asquith, "Tempest in a Tiny Teacup"
Mr. T, P, O'Connor (Ni a miserable little tempest in the tiniest teacup ever produced political life, moved adjournment of the debate in order to consider the situation, Mr, Baldwin, however,, said that the Consersatives could not support any motion of adjournment. The Government hoped to defeat the Conservatives by Liberal votes anit the Liberals by Conservative votes, but the Conservatives were not going to be duped. They would therefore give the whole of their support to the Liberal amendment (eud Ministevids laughter), O'Connor then withdrew his motion.
My. J. H. 'Thomas ridiculed the Conservatives' running away from their own vote of censure because they feared that the Liberals were about to run away (loud Ministerial cheers.)
Mr, Thomas said, that if the Liberal amendment were carried, the necessary steps would be taken accept it as the verdict of the House, but only as the verdict of the House, The Ministerialists refused allow the Conservatives to drop their vote of censure to vote for the Liberal amendment, 0 a division was taken to decide whether the House should divide on the vote of censure or on the Liberal amend ment. division resulted in 359 votes to 198 in favour of voting on the amendment, which was then carried by 364 Votes to 198, On the motion of the Prime Minister, the House then adjourn-till to-morrow.
Mr, MacDonald will state tomorrow the Government's intentions. My, Thomas's speech ix interpreter as clearly indicating tha: the Government will not resign but will appeal to the country, There was great excitement during the division. The figures wer received with loud "Opposition. cheers and counter Ministerial cheers.
The Labourities deafeningly cheered Mr. MacDonald when he ross to move the adjournment, many standing and waving their order The Members left the House amid 1 babel of excited conversation.
Large crowds outside cheered the Ministers and other leaders.—Reuter.
The Coming Election London, Oct. 9.
Now that disturbance of the country's -affairs by a general eleetion, however regrettable, is regarded as inevitable, the party organs are already sounding their challenges in anticipation of the fray, which, it is generally assumed, will culminate in polling on November 8 or 15, It is reported that the Cabinet for some time yesterday evening were sharply divided on the question of accepting Mr. Asquith's suggested compromise regarding an inquiry, but that the more extreme section led by Mr. Wheatly gained the day.
The Labourites profess to enter the elections with high confidence, their organ declaring that the issue is not the Russian Treaties or tha comparatively unimportant Campbell affair but the whole policy and programme of the Party—Reuter,
Text read from the printed page and cleaned; old type leaves the occasional error.