16 APRIL 1924
Germany accepted the experts’ report on reparation payments as a basis of negotiations. The British Government said that it would back the report.
The French Government said that it would not withdraw from the Ruhr Valley until financial reparations were received from Germany.
Southampton ship workers decided to return to work on condition that an immediate conference took place to secure uniformity of pay between Southampton and London.
15 APRIL 1924
The estimate for the provision of free travel for MPs between London and their constituencies passed the Report Stage in the House of Commons.
The Greek plebiscite resulted in a victory for the Republicans.
The entire Danish Cabinet resigned.
14 APRIL 1924
Elaborate police measures were taken for the protection of the Russian delegates at the Anglo-Soviet conference which opened in London. The Prime Minister, who addressed the conference, received from leading British bankers a memorandum setting forth the steps by which Russia’s credit could be restored.
The conclusion of an alliance between France and Romania was announced to be imminent.
The Japanese Government addressed a very strong note to the United States protesting against the immigration measure before Congress which practically banned all Japanese immigrants. The Government said that the pride of Japan would be seriously offended by such an enactment.
22 FEBRUARY 1924
Dockers’ delegates discussed the terms of the provisional settlement, but failed to reach agreement, and another conference was planned.
Arthur Henderson, the Home Secretary, said in Burnley that the Government proposed to carry through the House of Commons a new Bill to limit the working week to 48 hours.
20 FEBRUARY 1924
The General Council of the Trades Union Congress meeting in London decided to pledge the support of the British Trade Union movement to the unions involved in the dock strike.
John Wheatley, the Minister of Health, had a conference with representatives of the suppliers and producers of building materials who gave an assurance that in their housing scheme the Government would have the whole-hearted co-operation of the materials manufacturers of the country, and that there would be no attempt to advance prices.
In response to an appeal by Lord Balfour, American help is promised for the relief of distress in the Highlands and Islands.
19 FEBRUARY 1924
A Court of Inquiry was set up by the Government in connection with the dockers’ strike. The Cabinet issued a warning to ‘profiteers’ in regard to unjust increases in food prices, and steps were taken to prevent the exploitation of consumers.
JC Fenton was appointed as the Solicitor General for Scotland.
Ramsay MacDonald, the Prime Minister, in reply to a deputation from the League of Nations Union said everything the Government could do to make the League a real force in the national policy they would do.
18 FEBRUARY 1924
Work at British ports came to a stop following the start of the dockers’ strike.
Britain’s weakness as an air power was exposed by Major-General Sir FH Sykes, ex-chief of the Air Staff, in London.
Alexandre Millerand, the President of France, received Herr von Hoesch, the new German Ambassador in Paris, and while assuring him of co-operation in his promised endeavours to improve the relations between the two countries reminded him that France’s thoughts and wishes were summarised in the words “respect for treaties”.
Lord Birkenhead, speaking at the Oxford Carlton Club, described the Unionist party as the only safe and reliable bulwark against the dangers of Socialism.
17 FEBRUARY 1924
Noel Buxton, the Minister for Agriculture, visited Coventry Farm at Mill Hill in Middlesex to inspect the spread of foot and mouth disease which had been reported in the area.
The Socialist Government expressed disappointment that they had not been able to resolve the dockers’ strike.
16 FEBRUARY 1924
It was reported that negotiations had broken down and a strike of the dockers was declared with immediate effect. The hoped for agreement failed, but the two parties agreed to meet at the Ministry of Labour, but the trade unions said that the strike would not be postponed.
The action of the Egyptian officials at Luxor was met with the approval of the Egyptian Cabinet. All, including Howard Carter, are denied admission to the tomb of Tutankhamen.
15 FEBRUARY 1924
It was officially announced that as a result of further conferences at the Ministry of Labour that terms for the settlement of the dock strike have been arrived at.
Arthur Henderson, the Socialist Home Secretary, and Harold Camps, the Unionist, were formally nominated as candidates for the Burnley by-election.