(c) crown copyright

Catalogue Reference:CAB/23/46

Image Reference:0033

BCBBJ.

.. ' - 0 A . 3 1 g E g' 2(24),

COPY HO.

. ," MEETING Of the Cabinet to be held ' , . at 10, Downing Street, S.r.(l)., . . ' qn THURSDAY, JANUARY 10th. 1924 llt'3C, a*m, AGERDA..: L.30 A . , . . . .ly KING S, SPEECH. -M...
1

fa)---(Continuation of discussion - Reference Cabinet 1(24)3 : Revised Draft. " ' XC.P,17(24) H Circulated, herewith).
;

(b) Clauses: on Unemployment and Agriculture. " ' Drafts prepared by Chairman, Commit tee on Unemployments (Paper Ho. Parl:/G/& - Already circulated).

(c) Clauses on Unemployment and Future 'Legislation. . , . . . . Drafts prepared by the. lord Chan coil o r. ,: ^;t0-V V (Paper Ho.- Parli/G/6 - Circulated herewith)..;

(d) Clauses on T/oments Questions, etc. Drafts prepared"by SecreTary of State for Air (Paper, Nov.. Parrl'./G/& - Already circulated) (e) Juvenile Unemployment t .' " Report of Chancellor of Exchequer's Committee (C,P.1(24) if ready). if) Pre-Y/ar Pensions Report of Committee. . (CP.3.3(24) - Already circulated). ^COMa-lTED" .CB UBEMEIDYMEN T. . . Colonial Development. ' Ref: Paras. .11-13 of Report of Committee (CP.15(24) - Circulated herewith)..

' ..^.VCDS OF,FAR DEPARSIIENT -V0RIQ.3EK IN THE LONDON AREA. Memo, by the Secretary of State for :Wari (CP.3(24) - Already circulated). Memo., by the Chancellor of the.Exchequer. (CP.9(24) --Already circulated).:

Memo, by the Minister cf labour. (CP.12(24) - Already circulated). Memo. ,by the First lord of the Admiralty. (CP,16 (24) - Circulated herewith ).. -

4. BRITISH CONCESSIONS IN CHINA. Memo* "by the First Commissioner of Works. (CP.332[23) - Already oiroulatea). Memo, by the Financial Secretary'to the ffireasury. (CP.362(23) - Already circulated). 5, HOME RESERVE. OF Oil FUEL FOR TEE E IVY. Memo, hy the Financial Secretary to the Treasury. (CP.384(23) - Already circulated). 6. CENSUS OF PRODUCTION,. 1924..Memo, hy President, Board of frdde. (C,P.14(24/ - Already circulated). * TO flEE NOTE OF T* CHURCH OF SCOTI,iND (PROPERTY AND EFDO wMENTS) 3ILI. - - "Memo, "by the Secretary for; Scotland covering Draft Bill. (CP*4(24) - Already circulated)* "

-(Sgd-.) M.P.A.' -HaNSEY. "Secretary to the Cabineti,

2 , Whitehall Gardens S.W..-1.V ..

y

9th. January., 1924.

4 i 3
UjS DOCUMENT IS THE PROPERTY 0? HIS BKITA1IHIC HAJBSTY*S GOVERNMENT) LgSCRBTCOPY NO. CABINET 2 (24). CONCLUSIONS of a Meeting of the Cabinet held at 10 Downing Street, 3.W. 1. on THURSDAY. 10TH JANUARY, 1924 at 11-30 &*m. : P R E S E N T : ' The Right Hon. Stanley Baldwin, L-."., Prime Minister. (In the Chair).
0

T e Most Hon. The Marquess, of h Salisbiry, E.G., G.C.V.O., C.B., lord President of the Council. lbs uight Hon. Viscount Cecil, K.C, Lord Privy Seal. The Right Hon. W.C. Bridgeman, M.P., Secretary of State for Home if airs. , i Grace The Duke of Devonshire, Hs Z.G., G.C.M.G., G.C.V.O.. Secretary o State for the Colonies. f The Right Hon. Viscount peel, G.B.B.. Secretary of state for India. The night Hon L.3. Amery, M.P., First Lord of the Admiralty. The Uight Hon.. Sir W. Joynson-Hicks, Bart., M.P. * Minister of Health.
The xtight Hon. Sir 'fv.A. Sanders,

The Right Hon. Visoount Gave, G.C.M.G., Lord Chancellor, The Right Hon, Neville Chamberlain: M.P.. Chancellor of the Exchequer. The Lost Hon. The Marquess Curzon of Zedleston, K.G., G.C.S.I.. G.C.I.E., Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs. The night Hon. The Earl of Derby, K.G., G.C.B., G . C V . 0 . secretary of State for War. The Right Hon. Sir Samuel Hoare, Bart., C.M.G., M.P.* Secretary of State for Air. The Right Hon. Sir p. LloydGreame, Z.3.E., L U C , M.P. , President of the Board of Trade. The Right Hon. E.E.L. \7ood, M.P. , President of the Board of Education. The Right Hon. Sir Montague Barlow, K.B.S., Minister of Labour. The Right Hon. Sir L. WorthingtonEvans, Bart., G.B.E., M.P., Postmaster-General.

2art,, Minister of Agriculture & Fisheries. The Bighjt Hon. Viscount Novar, 8.C..H.G-., Secretary for Scotland.

Sir M.P.A. Hankey,. G.C.3.,...

-Secretary,

(This Document Is the Property of His Britannic la j istj s Government).

1

E T-

CABINET 2 (24). CONCLUSIONS of a Meeting of the Cabinet, held at -10, Downing Street, S.W*1. on THURSDAY, JANUARY 10th, 1924, at 11.30 a*m.

1-

The Cabinet met to continue their discussion in

regard to the draft of the Klng's Speech (Paper C P . 17(24)) for tho forthcoming opening of Parliament, and had before them the following documents :o 1(24) on 3 ) . A revised Draft of the King's Speech (CP.17(24)) Draft Clauses :(Appendix) On Unemployment and Agriculture, prepared by the Chairman of the Committee on Unemployment (Parl:/G-/S). On Unemployment and Future Legislation prepared by the Lord Chancellor (Parli/G/6). On Questions of Special Interest to Women, . Agriculture, and other matters, prepared - by the Secretary of State for Air . (ParlJ/G/6), together with the Report of the Chancellor of the Exchequer s
2

Committee on - Juvenile Unemployment (Paper C P . 1 ( 2 4 ) ) , and the Report of the Cabinet Committee on Pre-War Pensions (Paper C P . 13(24)). After a detailed examination of the.draft KIng s
T

Speeph, paragraph by, paragraph, the Cabinet agreed : (a) That a Drafting Committee composed of - " The Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs and The First Lord of the Admiralty should meet at 6 p*m. the same evening to prepare a further draft for their consideration. (b) To meet on the following day, namely, Friday, January,11th., at 11*30 a.m. for the purpose of finally approving the draft King s Speech, as well as for other- business,
r

(c) That the various amendments proposed below as the result of the discussion at the Cabinet, should be subject to the Drafting Committee's amendments in regard to drafting.

That the Drafting Committee should c a r e f u l l y consider whether i t would not be more in accordance with precedent to substitute the word e7g. i t was suggested that"the l a s t sub-paragraph of the f i r s t page should begin as f o l l o w s : "i" for the

w o r d s "My Goyerimient^throi^hQiA

"For S u l l y four years have sought an opportunity, e t c " in l i e u of *Jor f u l l y four years MJJR Government have sought; an opportunity, e t c .
0

(previous Reference:Cabinet 1 (24) . Conclusion 3(b).)

E?Si3L^ %J32L* irst per&grstph should open with a sentence couched in whate^Q? may be the t r a d i t i o n a l language to the following effect rf T i i e f w

My r e l a t i o n s with foreign countriee continue to bd friendly."

Previous Reference:-(f) Cabinet 59(23), Conclusion 1(d).)

Reparation. That for ihe second sub-paragraph of paragraph 1 , a paragraph should be substituted to the following effect "The Reparation Commission has set up two Committees, on which i t i s a s a t i s f a c t i o n to know that experts from the United S t a t e s of America w i l l do-operate with others from Great B r i t a i n , Rranoe. I t a l y and Belgium in examining the very serious financial questions involved In the position of Germany. It was considered advisable to omit the following words at the end of the original sub-paragraph:* "thereby reviving a proposal which was made by Mjr Government in J u l y l a s t . "

(Previous Ref erence -As) Cabinet 41(23), Conclusion 7.)

The J^us anno Treaty. paragraphon page 2 . following eentonoe:-

She second BubFor the

"And a new era will open"

substitute the following:*And a new era of peaceful with Turkey w i l l open". relations

jb.lfl (23), fool. 5. )

Florence:

levious

(h)

Poland, Finland and Latvia.

-The following words at tho and of the last Sub-paragraph on page 2 should be omitted."which should greatly facilitate trade with these oountrios."

revious
r

sferonce:

(x)

Afghanistan.

53 (23), Vl.3. )

An additional sub-paragraph should be prepared for inclusion at the end of para.l by the Secretary of State for India, in regard to the difficulties which hsve arisen with Afghanistan in consequence of the recent series of murders perpetrated on the Borth-West Frontier of India by border tribesmen, some of whom are Afghan subjects and have.. ..sought refuge in Afghanistan. The league of Bafions. ^ first sub-paragraph in pars.2 in C P . 17 ( 2 4 ) should be placed at the end of para.2 and should read as follows:"It will continue to be one of My chief objects to maintain an&**THcrease by every means in My power the steady growth of the League of ifations in efficiency and authority." The following sentence should bo omitted from the end of psra.2. "The League scheme for the reconstruction of Austria continues to give strikingly successful results, aad it is very greatly to be hoped that the similar scheme for Hungary which is in -process of negotiation will be equally suceeseful."

'

Lvious , leierence: III Z,)

($)

evious (k) ferenee: .59 (23) el. 1 (e).)'.

Imperial Conference and Imperial Economic Conference. Para.3., lines 5 and 6. Omit the following words 4

"In many directions as well as by unanimity in their conclusions." ' para,3., lines 7 and 8. Cmit the following words:-

"At the Imperial Economic Conferenoo." evious erence .36 (23) ol.4.) fH) Bri tiah EMIPire Erliihi ti on * Para. 3. /Line .1; For the words "My Government" nut the word ' "I". Estimates.

(Sa)

-Para.5 should bo amended so as to include a reference to the need for economy and should therefore open somewhat as follows "Tho Estimates for the Public Services in the -coming year which have been framed with duo regard to economy etc.
1

The reference should be in the customary language used in the Eing's Speech in the past. 3

(Previous Reference ( ) Unemployment. Cabinet 1(24) Conolusion 3J. Paragraph ,6. Delete the first sentence and,subject to such amendment as the Drafting Committee may consider necessary, substitute a paragraph based on the draft paragraph oiroulated by the Pcstinaster-General (Paper Parl/G/6) to the following e f f e s t : "While I am glad to note that the "schemes for providing employment "now in operatiXA Have" had an "appreciable effect during the last "year in reducing the numbers of "those actually unemployed, the "number still unable to find work "causes me the gravest ooncern".
n

Delete the following sentence at the end of the first sub-paragraph of Paragraph 6 "In these circumstances My Ministers "are proceeding with such action as "it is possible to take for the "increase of employment". Delete the second sub-paragraph of Paragraph 6 for which a new subparagraph will be added later. (See below). 5Biird sub-paragraph of Paragraph 6, Line 1:For the word "also" substitute "however", and in the second line instead of "Export Credits and Irade Facilities" put "Trade Facilities and Export Credits". After the third sub-paragraph, that is to say at the bottom of the page add the following from the draft paragraphs circulated by the Postmaster-General (Paper Parl:/G/6) s"and also to an extension of the "oontributlons towa:?de the cost of "Public Utility YJcrka. both to those "undertaken by local authorities and "to those promoted by statutory and "private c orporatiooia* Construction of Cruisers. Immediately after the above insert a paragraph in regard to Cruisers to the following effect "You will also be asked to assist "in providing work in the shipbuilding "industry by assenting to the immediate . , "construction of cruisers and auxiliary, "craft in anticipation of the Naval "programme". (Previous Reference Cabinet 59(23) Conclusion 2 ) . Juvenlie Unemp1oyment* Without prejudice to the Cabinets oonsideration of the Report of the Chancellor of the Exchequer s Committee sn Juvenile Unemployment (Paper C*l'^l(24)) a Committee composed of:fhe Chancellor of the Exchequer 5the President of the Board of Education 4.
:

should meet the same day to prepare a draft paragraph based on the Cabinet Committeo s Report in substitution of the last Sub-paragraph of Paragraph 6.
T

previous reference (o) Cab:l(24) Concl. 3 (i)

That a Sub-Committee composed as follows:The The The The Minister of Agriculture and Fisheries Secretary of State for Air President of the Board of Education Postmaster General

should meet the same evening and prepare for consideration a new paragraph to be substituted the material on the subject furnished respectively by the Minister of Agriculture and Fisheries ( C P . 17(24) paragraph f), the Postmaster General ,and the Secretary of State for Air (Parl./G/6J. The Committee to deal with tho subparagraph on the subjeot of Foot and Mouth Disease as well as the general question of agriculture. Previous Reference ($) Cab:l(24) Concl. 3 (f) Pre-war Pensions and Old Age Pensions. (i) (ii) That the first sub-paragraph of paragraph 8 is too vague. That the Government were pledged to introduce a Bill in regard to prewar pensions and that this should be mentioned. That it Was very desirable to include something more definite in regard to old age pensions.

(iii)

Previous Reference (q) Cab:59(23) Concl. 1 (viii)

That the Minister of Health in, consultation with the Chancellor of the Exchequer vfao is Chairman of the Cabinet Committee on pre-war pensions should paxrpare a freshdiaran substitution for pua.o. Wproens questions. Paragraph 8, Becond subparagraph. OmTt the reference to a. Bill dealing with the guardianship of children and insert a reference to "a Bill to amend the law relating to separation and maintenance orders". The, appointment of Probation, Off icers. The'" words at' the end oT" paragraph"!? to be amended as follows:"You will be asked to further the development of the system of dealing with offenders by means of Probation Officers. (Mote by the Secr et ary) The Home Secretary has asked that the following words may be inserted at this point "And Bills will be laid before you to amend and consolidate the Factory and Workshops Acts,

(iv)

. (r)

for the legitimation of children born out of wedlook whose parents have subsequently married,.and to amend the la?/ relating to "Separation and Maintenance Orders". (ft) Merchant Seamen.. Insert at the end of paragraph 8 a sentence to the foilowing effect:-"A Bill for giving effect to certain International Conventions for the benefit of Merchant Seamen". previous' peferenoe lat:l(24" Ion: 3(h) (t) Housing. Para.9.

2iis paragraph to be redrafted by the Minister of Health in consultation with the Chancellor of the Exchequer and if possible to include proposals for enabling tho working classes to buy their houses. (u) Remuneration of Practitioners under the Matronal Health, Insurance Acts" an'd' Provision' for Improving ffxeamaent of Mental Disorder^ She reference at the end of Paragraph 9 to be cancelled? (v) Ireland. '3he last sub-paragraph to Para.10 to be amended to the following effect :"Ihe obligation t o alleviate hardship caused by the former disturbances in Ireland, which"has already been fully recognised by My Ministers, continues to engage their active attention".

pPrevi ous peference fCab:59(3) ICont 1(g)).. previous pRef erence ICab:l(24) [Con; 3(g)).

j (Previous (w) Milk Distribution. Reference Cab: 50 (23 ) Paragraph 12 to commence as follows:Con: 2 ) . "Proposals w i l l also be laid before you for the ascertainment of costs, and profits in connection with the distribution of milk, for the improvement of the road traffic of London", etc., as before. I (Previous (x) Church of Scotland. Reference. Insert the following In Para.IS:I Cab:36(23) Con: 5 ) . "A Bill will also be laid before you dealing with the property and endowments of the Church of Scotland.'" [Previous fy) War Charges V a l i d i t y Bill. Reference Cab:15(23) Insert in Para.12 the following:Con: 2(c)). "A Bill to make valid certain charges imposed during the w a r %

a 9?
''Sl hi

hi

BHOADOASTIHG. (2.) previous Reference: Cab.38 (22). Concl. 6.

The Cabinet had a short discussion in

regard to a request made by tho Broadcasting Company to the postmaster General for Dermission to broadcast the Eing*s Speech. Strong objections were raised against tho L proposal but no final conclusion was reached.

S, Whitehall Gardens, S.W.I. 10th January, 1924.

A P P E N D I X.

II

DEAF? OP, SHE glNGVg SPEECH.

ip-QBSLMSJLFFILLBSJL

THE H0U33-; .QP. Q&mm$.

i

1.

I i the fioaain cf Foreign Affairs My i

;

Government oan point to definite progress made ih the solution of questions which have hitherto ' . blocked tho pathway of mutual understanding and have retarded the rooevery of the world. The Reparation Commission has set up two Expert Committees, on whioh it Is a satisfaction ' NOTE , The Chonee 11 or of the Exchequer suggests "In examining the very serious financial questions involved in the position of Germany." to know that America will co-operate with Great Britain, Franco, Italy and Belgium to examine'the German Reparation problem in its broadest aspect, thereby reviving a proposal which was mails by f My Government in July.last, . The advice cf such Committees should be af the greatest value in facilitating the solution cfa problem that has been a source of much anxiety. Until the Continental cutlock has been' cleared tho economic recovery fef this, as well as of other countries, is retarded. My Government will

continue to lend their best efforts to bring about such a settlement. For fully four years My Government have sought an opportunity cf . settling by friendly nogotiationa between the great Powers who are principally concerned, tho future status of the

Tangier zone mi Moroooot

An Agreement has just

been roaohea between the delegates of these Powers, which provides fcr the creation of an International regime at Tangier and for the promotion of. communications and trade. It is hfped

that a longstanding source of trouble will thus be removed. A Bill will be introduced into Parliament forthwith to give effect to the Lausanne Treaty with Turkey of July last. As soon as this Bill

has been passed, the Treaty will be ratified, and a new era will open. Negotiations for the

settlement of the one outstanding question with the Turkish Government, namely that sf Mosul, are about to begin. My Government, in common with the Bominio]?. Ministers at the reeent Inpsrial Conference, have been exceedingly anxious to settle in a spirit of conciliation the difficulty that has arisen with regard to tho illicit importation of liquor into the United States, and have, with this object, made proposals for an agreement which is on the eve of conclusion, and which should still further strengthen the happy relations prevailing between the two countries and peoples. My Government have successfully negotiated treaties qf commerce with Poland, Finland and Latvia, which should greatly faoilitate trade with those countries.
1

2,

It will be one of the chief objects of

My Government to maintain and increase by every means in their power the steady growth of the League of nations in efficiency and authority. A series of important international Conventions have recently been concluded under the auspices of the.League of Nations to give practical effect to the provisions of the Covenant relating to the equitable treatment of Commerce and the Freedom of Transit and Communications. These Conventions, which deal

with Commercial Arbitration, Customs Formalities. Maritime-ports. and international Railway Trafflo have all been signed on behalf of My Government, and they will, I trusty prove of great benefit to the interests of commerce and shipping. The League scheme for the reconstruction of Austria continues to give strikingly successful results, and it is- very greatly to be hoped that the similar'., scheme for Hungary which' Is In the process of negotiation will be equally successful.

3.

The Imperial Conference and Imperial

Economic Conferences which were held in the autumn of last year covered the whole field of Imperial interests and were marked by definite progress in Imperial co-operation in many directions as well as by unanimity in their conclusions.. More particularly was it found possible at the Imperial Economic Conference, without departure from the existing fiscal system in this country, to meet the wishes of the Dominions by a substantial extension of the principle of Imperial preference established by the Imperial War Conference of 1917 and in force since 1919. proposals to give effect

to the conclusions of both Conferences', In se far as legislation may be necessary-, will be submitted to you in due course, 4-. My Government look forward to the

opportunity which will be afforded by the British Empiro Exhibition to be held this year of increasing the knowledge of the varied resources of all parts of My Empire and of s timula ting Intor- Impe rial trade. 5-. MEMBERS OF THE. HOUSE O F COMMONS. The'Estimates for the public services in the coming year will be submitted to. you In due course.

MY LORDS AND MEMBERS OF THE HOUSE O f COMMONS. f Notwithstanding some improvement during the last few weeks the amount of unemployment continues to cause Me grave concern. My Ministers recently laid before

the country proposals which, in their judgment, would, have contributed materially to a solution of this problem by affording to industry a greater measure of security in the home marxet and an improved outlet foar its products in My Dominions overseas and in foreign countries; but their proposals were not accepted by the country. In these circumstances.

My Ministers are proceeding with such action as it is possible to take for the increase of employment. You will be asked to assist in providing work in the shipbuilding industry by the construction of some Cruisers and auxiliary craft to be taken in hand, without delay. Your assent will also be invited to an extension and amendment of the Export Credits and Trade Facilities schemes and to a proposal approved by the Imperial Economic Conference for expediting and assisting the execution of certain public enterprises in the Dominions and India and in the Crown Colonies and protectorates by, the grant of financial aid from public funds.

One of the worst results of the difficulties of obtaining employment is the loss of training in ,the skilled trades by young persons who hare left school within the last few years, and by those who ars new leaving school; In order to minimise tho

effects upon the young people and to reduce the competition for employment, measures will be proposed to enable mere of those why cannot find employment
" r

and whs are likely to be ablo to benefit, to obtain practical instruction or Industrial Training, also to extend the provision made for juvenile unemployment oentres. and

7.

Ihe condition of Agriculture continues The result

to T e a source of grave anxiety. o

of the election having been adverse to the proposals of My Ministers for dealing with the situation, alternative means for preventing a further reduction in the area of arable land, and for ensuring a living wage to agricultural workers will be the subject of most careful enquiry. X series of outbreaks of Foot and Mouth, disease of unusual severity having occurred, My Ministers are making every possible effort to free the country from this disastrous complaint.

8.

The whole Question of the position of Pre-War

Pensioners and Old Age Pensioners and of the various forms of National Insurance is now under examination with a view to seeing in what way the present system may be improved. Among the measures which vill be presented for consideration will be M i l s dealing with the guardianship of children and the legitimation of children born out of wedlock whose parents.have subsequently married. You will also be asked

to further the development of a system of dealing with offenders by means of probation Officers.

9.

During the past year considerable progress

has teen made with the provision of houses. Since the passing of the Housing Act, 1923, the Minister of Health has approved the erection of many thousands cf houses with financial assistance under the Act, and there is evidence that a marked revival of building by private enterprise is in progress^ My Ministers anticipate that the housing shortage will be considerably relieved in the coming building season and will take^steps to encourage such a development in the capacity of the building industry, especially in the direction of an increased supply of skilled laboxir, as will ensure more rapid progress without a rise in cost cf construction. You will be invited to fix the remuneration of practitioners under the National Health Insurance Acts, and to make provision for improved treatment of mental disorder.

10.

t l general fulfilment of pledges givefl at i

the time of the Treaty between Great Britain land Ireland measures will be pui before you for completing Lurid Purchase in northern Ireland! and also for authorising the Exchequer to guarantee the principal and interest of bonds issued by the Government of the Irish Free State under the Land Act recently passed in that Dominion. The obligation laid upon My Ministers to alleviate hardship caused by the former disturbances in Ireland continues to engage their active attention

11;

Proposals will "be laid before you, in

connection with the expansion of the Royal Air Force for Hone Defence, for making further provision as to the organisation and cond.it ions of service of the Auxiliary Air Force and. Air Force Reserve with a view to the formation of Auxiliary and Special Reserve'Squadrons.

12.

Proposals will, also " e laid, "before - o , - if byu,:

cirxramsiahcos permit, for-the ascertainment and regulation of profits In,-connectIon with the distribution of milk and.other.necessaries of.life for the improve mo nt of. the road traffic of London., the reform of-the system of valuation and rating in England, and 7/e.les, and of rating in Scotland, the improvement cf the administration of civil and criminal justice, and the consolidation of certain parts of the Statute law.

And I pray that Almighty God may bestow His blessing upon your deliberations.

Y/hitehail Gardens, S.W.1. January 9th., 1924.