16 FEBRUARY 1924, Page 1

Mr. MacDonald began by commenting upon the new balance of

parties in the House of Commons. This new balance inevitably involved a change in the habits of the • House, and he declared that the Government would not be alarmed by such familiar old devices as a snap division. The Opposition might, if they pleased, fill the bath- ' rooms and other hiding places with their supporters ready to rush into the division lobbies and spring surprises upon the Government, but the Government would not be alarmed and would not resign on a frivolous pretext. He then congratulated his party upon the falsification of the fears which had been widely advertised about the results of a Labour Government coming into office. The present price of Consols was his witness.