LIBERAL SUPPORT

Evening Post, Volume CXII, Issue 83, 5 October 1931, Page 7

LIBERAL SUPPORT

NOT UNANIMOUS

ELECTION AND TARIFF

(BrltisU Official Winlen.) " (Received sth October, 11 a.m.) KUGBY, 3rd October. "While political circles assume that an early General Election is now certain, discussions regarding. the degree of Liberal support which will be given to the Prime Minister, ,in appealing to the country for an unfettered mandate, are still continuing. It is generally believed that the Prime Minister is assured of the support of some at least of the Liberal Ministers in the present Government^ but he is anxious, if possible, to retain the association of all of them. The discussions are believed to turn upon the terms of tho manifesto which would be issued, and the action of Liberals who are doubtful of the desirability of an election at all at the present juncture,and are further concerned to make clear that acceptance by them of such a course should not necessarily imply the abandonment by them of a belief in the efficacy of a Free Trade policy. ■ '' : /-'' ' ■ ; Lord Grey, the veteran Liberal statesman, came to London yesterday and took part in the discussions among members of his party. In a letter to "The Times" to-day Lord Grey expresses the view that the whole world is affected by the financial and currency trouble and the Government must have power to deal with emergencies, some of which it may not be possible to foresee. In such times the Government, he thinks, must not be tied by restrictions, and it would therefore be unreasonable for Free Traders, in supporting the National Government, to qualify their support by excluding tariffs from the powers given to the Government in dealing with really .emergency situa- .. tions. ■ ~'...,'.':.. \ ..... ..■".. He pointed out, however, that the Conservatives are urging that candidates should be pledged to a full Conservative programme of protection and preference. The Tree Trade versus Protection issue, he maintains, is out of date and the paramount issue to be put before the country should be desirability of economy and sound finance. Mr. Walter Kunciman, a prominent Liberal, speaking last night, also took this view, declaring that party interests and programmes must be subordinated to national interests. "The Times" to-day, gives full support to this plea, and urges the desirability of a "gentleman's agreement" to subordinate party views on fiscal issues and to give the Government a completoly free hand'to deal with any situation that develops.