THE IPSWICH BY-ELECTION.

Press, Volume L, Issue 14976, 25 May 1914, Page 7

THE IPSWICH BY-ELECTION.

DEFENCE OF LIBERALISM,

SPEECH BY CHANCELLOR

(By C_ble.—Pre*a A_soci_tion.—Copyright-) (Received May 24tb, 0.0 p.m.)

LONDON, May 23

Mr Lloyd George, addressing an I audience of six thousand people at Ipswich, said the present election was a critical one in tne country's history, hence his breaking of tho rule against Cabinet Ministers meddling in byelcctions. He described Mr Bonar Law and Mrs Pankhurst as anarchist leaders, defying all authority, each in their own way. The question before thf* country was not Home Rule and "Uelsh Disestablishment, but representative Government, which the Tories were endeavouring, by a deliberate conspiracy to destroy. If Sir Masterman were returned tbo verdict would resound through tho ages as a great blow for freedom. The Tories were fighting for oligarchy through anarchy. The question was—"Were tho liberties of the people to be destroyed by aristocratic lawlessness." England was tho richest soil under the sun, yet with £40,000,000 received in rent, the producers wero living in poverty and wretchedness. But tho Liberals would put that right in a year or two. Referring to old age pensions, he asked who was paying for them. A voice: Tho super-tax. Mr Lloyd-George: "Yes, and why should not the man with too much contribute something towards those with too little?" Tho rich complained of the super-tax, but those with £2-3,000 per annum had £21,000 left after paying it. That amount of super-tax kept 137 old people from misery and humiliation. A super-tax of £100,000 per annum would keep COO people out of tho workhouse. Similarly tho death duties would maintain 30,000 for four years. His Budgets wore luck-sharing budgets. Insurance was a great repairing institution and a good investment. Ipswich was getting £21,000 in pensions, £3-5,000 yearly from insurance, and from the Budget 5*14,000. He hoped Ipswich would send a message of hope to Ireland and the whole democracy of Britain. "Blessed is tlie nation that consideret_ tlie poor," concluded Mr XJoydGeorge.