Tag: 100 Years Ago

14 FEBRUARY 1924

The House of Commons continued discussion of the Premier’s statement upon Government policy. Stanley Baldwin, the former Prime Minister, warned the Government the danger of conceding too much to Russia in their desire to restore relations. Mr Asquith, who followed, condemned the recession of the Popular Order, and warned the Government that if they failed to reconsider their decision the House would not be likely to countenance it.

At the official inquiry into the Redding Pit disaster, two witnesses spoke as to their fear of an inrush of water, and the general manager in his evidence attributed the cause of the disaster to the presence of the artificial well or sump in the old workings.

13 FEBRUARY 1924

In the House of Lords, the Lord Chancellor (Lord Haldane) made a statement on foreign policy and the armaments question, and declared that the Government aimed at a League of Nations that would include Germany and Russia and would ensure security in Europe.

The meeting of the National Unionist Association Council was addressed by Stanley Baldwin, the former Prime Minister, after which new proposals for the future organisation of the party were discussed. These include the setting up of a committee for the purpose of advising the leader upon any important point of policy.

12 FEBRUARY 1924

Stanley Baldwin, the former Prime Minister, was unanimously re-elected leader of the Unionist Party at a representative meeting in London.

Following the rejection by the representatives of the Transport Workers’ Union of the port employers’ offer of 1s per day increase in the wage of dockers, it was announced that the Ministry of Labour had intervened to avoid a strike.

11 FEBRUARY 1924

An agreement was signed between France and Britain with regards to railway traffic in the British zone of occupied Germany.

Arthur Henderson, the Home Secretary, was adopted as the Socialist candidate for the Burnley by-election.

Colonel Wedgwood, the Chancellor of the Duchy of Lancaster, said that the Labour Party was not in power to carry on with the old machinery. He added that they had arrived only at the entrance to the promised land.

10 FEBRUARY 1924

It was announced that the new socialist Peers Lord Arnold, Lord Thomson and Lord Olivier were to be introduced to the House of Lords this week.

The London County Fire Brigade Committee recommended increasing the height of qualification for firemen from 5 foot five and a half inches to 5 foot 7 inches.

The number of deaths from influenza in London trebled in January 1924.

9 FEBRUARY 1924

King George V donated £100 to the fund for alleviating distressed in the Hebrides.

HP Macmillan was appointed as the new Lord Advocate.

It was confirmed that John Butcher would be appointed to the House of Lords.

8 FEBRUARY 1924

David Lloyd George, the former Prime Minister, denial an American newspaper’s claim that in an interview he spoke of a secret compact dealing with the Rhineland occupation as having been made between Georges Clemenceau, the French President, and the late Woodrow Wilson, the former US President. Harold Spender, the interviewer, accepted full responsibility.

Lord Balfour, referring the reconstruction of Austria, said that the League of Nations had demonstrated even to the the most sceptical and cynical that it was capable of carrying out its policy with wisdom, caution and courage.

The dockers’ demands were considered by the Employers’ National Council at a conference in London and it was believed that this was sufficient to avert a strike.

7 FEBRUARY 1924

David Lloyd George, the former Prime Minister, in a statement published in a New York newspaper, alleges that the existence of a secret Wilson-Clemenceau pact with regard to the French occupation of the Rhineland. The French Foreign Office denied that there was any secret pact.

The body of ex-President Wilson was buried in the Cathedral of St Peter and St Paul at Washington, where great crowds gathered in the streets to pay a last tribute. By means of wireless apparatus, millions throughout America were able to follow the funeral service.

The Government’s housing policy was discussed at a conference at the Ministry of Labour, attended by representatives of the building trade employers and unions. The assurance was given that the trade would co-operate with the Government in the provision of houses, and it was announced that the employers and workers’ organisations would meet without delay to formulate definitive proposals.

6 FEBRUARY 1924

The King, in a message of condolence to Mrs Wilson, the widow of ex-President Woodrow Wilson, said that the part played by him at the Peace Conference on behalf of a just and lasting peace will for ever be remembered by the peoples of the British Empire.

Sir Thomas H Mottram, HM Chief Inspector of Mines, presided at an inquiry which was opened in Glasgow into the causes of the Redding Pit disaster. Counsel for the owners gave an assurance that there would be no victimisation of witnesses.

The demand of the dockers for increased wages was considered at a joint conference of the parties concerned in London. It was announced that the employers are calling a special meeting of their National Council and would again meet the representatives of the Union on the following week.

The Minister of Health announced his decision to rescind an order of 1922 which requires the Poplar Guardians in granting outdoor relief to not exceed a prescribed scale.

5 FEBRUARY 1924

Peerages were conferred on the Rt. Hon. Sir Sydney Olivier (Secretary of State for India), Brigadier-General the Rt. Hon. CB Thomson (Secretary of State for Air) and Sydney Arnold (Under Secretary for the Colonies).

The meeting of the Cabinet was held at 10 Downing Street, and it was announced that in view of the number of urgent problems requiring immediate consideration two further meetings would be held in the week.

The release of Gandhi was ordered by the Government of Bombay.

Eleftherios Venizelos resigned the Greek Premiership.