26 JANUARY 1924, Page 2

Mr. Baldwin declared that he had no regrets. He was

left with a clear conscience - and the best friends any man ever had. He had been accused of committing_. suicide, but there were worse crimes. Mr. Asquith was bringing a child into the world with every intention of smothering it. It was nonsense to say that the Govern- ment had done nothing. They had settled the American Debt, remitted taxes, maintained the Entente, made a treaty. with Turkey, settled the Tangier problem, practically settled the difficulties in connexion with Prohibition in America, and had done a great deal for unemployment. As for Protection, he had held office for two months before he had become convinced that Protection was the only means of restoring trade. Finally he made the strange suggestion that we were probably arriving at an economic stage where a certain restriction of exports might be necessary. " Imports," several' Members interjected by way of correction. " No, exports," said Mr. Baldwin. In the division 328 voted -for the amendment and. 256 against—a majority of 72 against the Government. - Ten Liberals voted with the Government. On Tuesday morning Mr. Baldwin resigned and Mr. Ramsay. MacDonald was summoned by the King. *