THE PAISLEY SEAT

Dominion, Volume 13, Issue 105, 28 January 1920, Page 7

THE PAISLEY SEAT

MR. ASQUITH'S CANDIDATURE

ATTEMPT TO SMASH THE COALITION

(By Telegraph-Press Association-Copyright (Rec. January .27, 11.45 p.m.) London, January 26. Mr. H. H. Asquith was invited to contest the Paisley seat by the local Liberal Association. It is understood that a largo majority'who favoured the Coalition candidate has decided to support the association's choice. The Unionists thereupon selected Mr. M'Kcan (Coalitionist), but hope to secure some Liberal support. Mr. M'Kcan said yesterday lie was fighting the. Coalition battle because the Liberals refused to nominate a LiberalCoalitionist,' though the Unionists were ouite willing to support one in order to thrash Labour, but at Lord NortlicMe's instigation the Liberals adopted Mr. Asquith, whom the Coalitionists could not possibly vote for, because he had come put for the express purpose of smashing ■ the Coalition. Therefore th" Coalitionists had no alternative but to fight. Ar r M'b'oan's reference to Lord Northcliff"'is due to the fact that the "Times" lately strongly advocated. Mr. Asquith's return tn the' House of Commons, on the ground that his experience would be of great value to the country at the present time, especially in connection with finance. It is noteworthy tl'.iit the other I Northeiiff" Press i« living prominence to Mr. Asquith's candidature, though showing less enthusiasm than that with which it advocated his downfall in 11116. Strictly. Conservative ovnils like the "Morning Post" hone that Mr. Asquith will be rejected. fhoiiß-h they believe the. only alternative is Labour. On the other hand, the moderate Coalition and Conservative newspaper', for example, the "Daily Telegraph," welcome the prospect of Mr. Asquith returning to Parliament on national grounds, as the Coalition weakness is the lack of expert criticism. The Coali-tion-Liberal "D.r'v Chronicle." which is in close touch with the Premier, desires Mr. Asquith's re-election on general grounds, but would like more information about his programme. It especially hones that, he will rely on the unity of/ the Liberal forces, instead of nerp»tuating tho party's present division. The Independent Liberal organs are naturally enthusiastic, but would prefer that Mr. Asquith would indicate a more progressive tendency than he has hitherto shown.

Mr. Asnuith's opening speech was a manrv defence of Liberalism. He sa'd the Liberals were perfectly content with the old name and the old creed. He would fight the contest as a Liberal, and hoped to win as a Liberal. Mr, Asquith justified Liheral principles by a survey of prewar legislation, but did not touch the future policy except in relation to Labour. On this point he said the ultimate aim of the Labour Party was State acquisition of the whole machinery of production. This was a form of industrial tyranny ngninst which it was the first duty of Liberalism to protest.

■It is generally.recognised that Mr. Asquith lias probably staked everything on this contest—Aus.-N.Z. Cable Assn.