LABOUR AND LIBERALS

Evening Post, Volume CVIII, Issue 139, 9 December 1929, Page 11

LABOUR AND LIBERALS

SAFETY FOR GOVERNMENT

MR. 3£ACDOXALD'S IDEA

United Tress Association—By Electric Tele-

graph—Copyright.

LONDON, 7th December.

It is reliably stated that a rapprochement which is being attempted between tho Labourites and the Liberals may eventuate- in an informal understanding insuring a comparatively long tenure of the Labour Government

Tlio purpose of tho promoters is understood to be to stabilise the Government, which,- while excluding the Tories on the one hand and the Socialist extremists on the other, will include moderate Labourites and advanced Liborals, and perhaps a few progressive Conservatives.

Tho movement, originated at Mr. AlacDonald's suggestion that in nonparty matters the Progressives mieht uo-operato in a sort of Council of btato. Tho first overt movement in this direction was an informal consultation between Mr. Mac Donald, Sir Herbert bamnel, and Sir John Simon. This consultation, although practically limited to matters of procedure/implied a certain degreo of co-operation. Meanwhile, Liberal newspapers are significantly sympathetic. It is under.'ttiod the movement aims at 00-opera-iioh, not necessarily coalition. Invents in tho House of Commons during tho week, notably the Liberal intervention in the Cabinet's Insurance Bill dilemma, has given colour to the rapprochement, of which Labour's endorsement may be forthcoming in a fortnight. It will mean that Mr. MacDonald will be able- to snap his fingers at the Maxton-Kirkwood cave's revolt.

TO SOLVE UNEMPLOYMENT.

The "Liberal Magazine" asks:— \\hy not do the common-sense thine and call on Mr. Lloyd George and'Mr Baldwin to establish an All Parties' Committee for the conquest of unemployment? It is no longer reasonable to hope that the Government can deal with the unemployment problem without aid from the other parties, since it has been proved that Mr. Thomas has no schemes which can immediately oderate." *

It is persistently stated that Mr. Snowden at yesterday's meeting with Labour members' of the House threatened to resign if more demands were made for money for. unemployment insurance. The attitude of the Clydesiders is doubtful, as only one, Mr. Buchanan, attended the meeting.