LABOUR'S POLICY IN BRITAIN.

Press, Volume LXVI, Issue 20107, 10 December 1930, Page 10

LABOUR'S POLICY IN BRITAIN.

END OF FREE TRADE PREDICTED. MR R. J. GILMOUR RETURNS. fTHE PRESS Special Service.! AUCKLAND, December 9. The opinion that Britain's Labour Government may find it necessary, even if it, declines entirely to foresake its Free Trade policy, to introduce some form of tariffs fqr revenue purposes, was the opinion expressed by Mr R. J Gilmour, of Inverr-argill, who was chairman of the New Zealand delegation to the Imperial Press Conference, on his return from London to-day. Commenting on the industrial outlook in Great Britain, Mr Gilmour stated on his arrival by the Ulimaroa that everything was in a state of flux and perplexity at present. Changes were undoubtedly taking place, but it (vas not yet clear what exactly the changes were or what direction they would finally take. One thing was certain: Britain 's Free Trade policy would have to be discarded before long. Officially ' he Labour Party was still pledged to Free Trade; but there were signs within tho trade union organisations of a change of opinion on that vital topic. Tariff and Revenue. "I should say it is by no means improbable," said Mr Gilmour, "that the Labour Party will yet get direction from its own rank-and-file to adopt a tariff policy. In any case, apart from its^ fixed policy, the Labour Government, if it remains in office, may find it necessary to introduce some form of tariff lor revenue purposes. The Conservative Party is now definitely pledged to Protection and Empire preferences, and there can be no question that those changes arc coming, although they may not come quickly, because the cry of dear food still raises alarm through the length and breadth of England. "Tho visitor to Britain, accustomed to the operation of tariffs and observing the slackness of trade and the unemployment which results from the open-door policy, fintls it difficult to understand why there should be any hesitation in adopting a reasonable measure of protection; but it has to be remembered that in Britain Free Trade has centuries of public opinion behind it." Mr Gilmour had many opportunities to examine the condition of British industry at first hand. "The only industry I could find whose profits and dividends were not affected by the depression was the brewing industry," ho said. "Motor-car manufacturers also appear to bo doing well, and are confident of doing still better in the near future. In the. textile -and steel trades the reports are not so good."

Heard Mussolini Speak.

Mr Gilmour was in Rome when the ninth anniversary of Fascism was celebrated, and Signor Mussolini made one of his "sabre-rattling" speeches. "Whatever may be thought in Europe of Signor Mussolini's menacing utterances, there is no doubt that his powerful personality has proved an immense driving force among his own countrymen," said Mr Gilmour. "It would be idle to pretend that thete is no opposition to him in Italy; but the opposition is afraid to make itself heard, and meanwhile he is directing Italians toward a higher sense of national entity, toward a greater industrial and social achievement, and toward loftier ambitions and aspirations. Italy has undoubtedly made good progress. Oil the surface, at least, there is no trouble with political dissensions, and under the Duce's firm hand the national energies are well organised and well employed." THE MOSLEY MANIFESTO. MINISTERS INTEND TO IGNORE * IT. (Received December 9th, 21.30 p.m.) LONDON, December 8. The "Daily Telegraph's" political correspondent states: "Labour regards Sir Oswald Mosley's manifesto as a damp squib, and the Ministers intend to ignore it, as the proposals arc impracticable, and it is not oven worth while to summon a meeting to discuss them; but there is no idea of expelling >-ir Oswald Mosley from the Party."