“NEW DEAL” PLAN

Dominion, Volume 28, Issue 98, 19 January 1935, Page 7

“NEW DEAL” PLAN

Lloyd George Launches Campaign BOLD ACTION URGED Necessity For Overhaul and Reconstruction BRITAIN’S TASK IN WORLD By Telegraph.—Press Assn.—Copyright. (Received January 18, 5.5 p.m.) London, January 17. "Mammon ami Mars have made a horrible mess ,11 this generation. It is time they were both L-ertified as dangerous lunatics and locked up,” said .Mr. Lloyd George at the opening of his "New Deal” campaign, with which lie celebrated his seventysecond birthday, before an enthusiastic audience at Bangor. Mr. Lloyd George, walking with the springiness of a man of half his years, reproduced his old picturesque phrasing and vividness cf gesture. He declared that he was not attempting to launch a party campaign, but, as the Government was failing in its duty, lie proposed, as an old servant cf the public, to rouse Cabinet to the perils of delaying bold action. “Nothing is practical which falls short of the magnitude of a necessity which demands complete overhaul and reconstruction,” he said. “Britain, must take a more definite line in ensuring the adjustment of questions threatening peace, notably disarmament and the Chinese situation. The world is ready and eager to follow the British lead. The United States is willing to co-operate with both Europe and the Pacific. The latter from the viewpoint of trade is fuller of promise as from the standpoint of war it is fuller of menace even than Europe. Britain must use tariffs ruthlessly to induce removal, or at least a reduction, of the difficulties in foreign trading.” He proposed the establishment of a statutory council drawn.from industry, commerce, finance workers and economic thinkers to prepare reconstruction schemes, review' the possibilities of the colonial Empire, and also to review school-leaving and pension ages and shorter hours of work. He added that he believed a great prosperity loan would eagerly be over-subscribed. He criticised the Bank of England’s policy and said that its blunders in the last 12 years had cost the nation more, than w’ould have sufficed to enable a gigantic scheme of industrial, agricultural and social reconstruction to be launched. The Bank of England must be independent of the financiers’ viewy point and must be in closer touch with industry and commerce. He concluded: I believe that if we act promptly the clouds will be lifted in the spring. GENERAL PRESS VW Proposals Disappointing APPROVAL OF LIBERALS (Received January IS, 11.50 p.m.) London, January 18. Mr. Lloyd George’s speech is given prominence in the Press. Editorials welcome his return to the political scene, but the majority find the proposals not new and disappointing. The Liberal Press naturally approved. The “News-Chronicle” says that not a single item in the programme is a novelty. What is most significant is that a statesman of Mr. Lloyd George’s authority and vigour should be revitalised in -body and looking forward. The plan’s effect on the country may well be .electric. The “Manchester Guardian” says: Whatever we may think of this or that item, the proposals come as a compelling challenge. The programme contains not only a fulfilment of Liberalism and a translation of the desires of progressive Tories, but as much practical Socialism as we are likely to see in a decade. Can we not combine and get something done ?. / The “Daily Herald” says that Mr. Lloyd George believes that prosperitycan be brought back by a large but superficial programme of reforms without altering the existing structure. The Labour Party knows that prosperity can be achieved only by building up an entirely new system designed not for profit but for the wellbeing of all. “The Times” says: Mr. Lloyd George wants a more definite lead by a Government different in personnel but the same in its non-party complexion. A recasting of the Government is not inconceivable and would not be unwelcome. Mr. Lloyd George’s great handicap is that very many of his countrymen are not disposed to give him their complete confidence. He suffered from a tendency to claim a ridiculous measure of infallibility.