POLITICAL HOTSPUR

Evening Post, Volume CX, Issue 139, 10 December 1930, Page 11

POLITICAL HOTSPUR

When the National Trade Union Club in 'London welcomed its president, Sir Oswald Mosley, M.P., at dinner recently, Mr. Ben Tillett, M.P., who presided, said that he hud great sympathy with Sir Oswald because of his impetuosity and because he was in such a hurry. Sometimes he envied him because of his youth. At the moment he was the Hotspur of the political movement; at some time or other he would be the Solomon of a great philosophy "of statesmanship, says the "Manchester Guardian.'' Sir Oswald Mosley paid a warm tribute to Mr. Tillett and other veteran leaders. In going forward to tho victories that yet awaited them they could never forget the early days in the wilderness. Those of them who were iir'.tho political movement needed daily contact with the trade union movement. We were facing now, he continued, a great national crisis, and politicians of all parties were rather floundering. He was in a hurry because ho thought it wns necessary. If he .thought there was time gradually and calmly in tho course of years to develop a policy ho would be the first man to welcome the opportunity. He did not want all this struggle and turmoil. The hour of this country's fate was very close at hand, and he was in a hurry. They must be prepared to act before very long. Everybody in contact with the facts of industry knew that great threat to our industry, and knew that in the panic and the lack of counsel the first device to which many people were likely to turn was an attack on the standard of life and a reduction of wages, because they could think of nothing else to do. Probably within a year the standard of life of every section would be threatened. As the standard of life came down the purchasing power of the people would be affected, and the home market would vanish from their grasp. "Nothing; will avail," said Sir Oswald, "but a great national policy, something which unites a nation in one supreme effort to carry this country through. I would welcome any man of goodwill on the other side who is prepared to sit down .and face this problem —not as a party problem or as a class problem, but a national problem. I believe it is pressing, and for that reason I am iv a hurry. We have to find methods of action and apply them courageously and fearlessly. I have put forward some views. I am rpiitc sure better views can be found if different minds get to work, and when wo find a policy let us appeal to the nation to unite."