The Henson Journals

[174]

Friday, March 22nd, 1929.

A beautiful and spring–like day: but I must have contracted a slight chill yesterday, for after a disturbed night I spent a comfortless day. It seemed to me prudent to telegraph to the Barnard Castle School, crying off my attendance at the Governors' Meeting. I worked at the Presidential Address for the Sunday School H Council in April.

Two more seats have been lost by the Government. – North Lanark where a Conservative majority of 2,028 has been changed to a Labour majority of 6,578: and Holland–with–Boston, where, in a Quadrangular contest, the Liberal candidate has a majority of 3,706. The last is very significant, & may show the effect of Lloyd–George's agricultural programme on the rural voters. The prophets, who were very confident that Baldwin would return with a small majority, are now changing their tune. They speak of "Labour" being the largest single party, and some kind of a coalition Government being formed: or Macdonald being made Prime Minister by the grace of Lloyd George. The outlook is not a pleasant one for those who, like the Bishop of Durham, have fixed incomes, & "live up" to them. "Wait & See" is the only attitude for such times.

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