BRITISH ELECTIONS.

Hokitika Guardian, 7 December 1923, Page 2

BRITISH ELECTIONS.

[Reuters Telegrams.] FINAL APPEALSLONDON, December 0. A.!! the leaders have made their final appeals to the electors. Mr Baldwin’s message was: “I appeal to my fellow countrymen and women to give nio their support to-day ir. the fight against unemployment. I ask this for their own sake, and for the sake of the i Ling generation.” Mi R. .MacDonald, in his appeal, says: “The country Inis nevei been so devoted and enthusiastic in its support of the Labour came. 1 hope the. elector'. will see that- peace, a European settlement, and a return to prosperity now depends upon Labour's success. Mr Lloyd George’s final message reads: “I warn my fellow countrymen that a tariir cannot cure unemployment hut is hound to increase it. pice trade in Britain is as sound as ever, while tile credit of her protectionist Allies is shaken, our protectionist enemies are ruined.”

Mr A.squtli. in his final speech at Paisley, .said: “My deliberate cjm\iciion is that this adventure, for sheer recklessness, improvidence and audacity, has no parallel in the history of modern democracy. It is an insidious attempt to dethrone industry and to impoverish the life of the British people.” Lord Birkenhead al Preston, said: "My eve of the poll message is one of hope and confidence. Everywhere the people are clearing themselves from their old party alliances ill the attempt to decide a problem which i.s not political hut a question of life and labour. Men are deserting the Labour Party because they object to being the slaves of a .Socialist infer nationale.” LABOUR CONFIDENT. LONDON. December fi. Mr Runway .MacDonald, in his filial message said: "I have never known such fervour in our movement nor so much gross misrepresentation, malignity. and suppression of facts by the press of other parlies. I lmvo been all over the country, and I have seen no fears of the result. Labour to-day, will do its duty.” ELECTION NOTES. LONDON. Decern Tier fi. Speaking at Camberwell. Mr Lloyd (beige's voice was as clear and as powerful as ever, and lie spoke with ;• nerve energy and physical fitness which is largely due to his use of microphone amplifiers, which have enabled him to address huge meetings without straining his voice. It is estimated that half of a million have heard him during this election. Alter a speech on behalf of his friend. Dr. MacXaniara, wliu was the only Minister except himself to hold office throughout tho war. Mr Lloyd George went to Brighton where his motor-ear was towed throne the town, mounted police clearing the roadway. He addressed ten thousand in the Drill Hall, everybody standing. Luter lie stood on the Hat roof of the pavilion and addressed thousands in the street, lint there was considerable interruption throughout- his speeches.

Mi Baldwin had a great reception on his tour of Ins constituency, especially at Bewdley, his hiitli place. He cluinir od that no other parly had a remedy of tiny kind to propose for the relief of tho unemployment. He reiterated that not one article of staple food was going to have a tax on it -not even thistles, (laughter and cheers.) The (-Joveilinieiit would continue to press for reparations from Germany, hut people much not pitch their hopes too high. They must remember that international debts can only he paid by the export i goods. Germany must get her trade balanced. She must export to Russia urn! elsewhere if she likes: “hut do not let us heroine the shock absorber for Germ iu reparations."

Lord Derby at Blackpool, said the Dominions were asking Britain to meet them more than half way. This election was going to determine whether Britain says ves or no. Here- there were ‘‘boos” for Mr Lloyd George. Lord Derby (warmly): ‘T will not si and at a Conservative meeting and heat that man’s name booed! I know what that man did during the war. I am not unhopeful that, even Mr 'Llovd Goorfie, when he realises the oiler ol the Dominions, may even say to his own people:—“AVe must not he too late.”

The -‘Daily Chronicle” urges the electors to vote Liberal, and steer a middle eourse between the two perils of the Conservatives’ tariffs and the Labour’s capital levy. The "Daily Telegraph" says: Tf the 1 fiieral and Socialists orators who have been picdieting such dire and terrible results from protection were to make the same speeches to the l-.iiglisli-spieakiiig democracies of Australia. Canada. New Zealand, or South Africa, they would he laughed olf the platform." The choice to-dav may he described as “the Empire for the English or England for foreigners.’’ 1-Tee trade has brought wealth in a few. but never at any time to thi' main-.

LONDON, l)e<ember Cl. Lord Beaverbrdiik. in a column at tick- in the ‘Daily Express", says: ■ I seem to Tie about the only tariff reformer left who dares to-day to declare i penly. without <ptaliii<-ation. that 1 stand exactly where T did when 1 entered Parliament thirteen years ago. lie declares that Mr Baldwin's pledge is a,t absolute lmr to the development of an Imperial policy of exchange on which five industrial life depends. He concludes :—lt is the duty of eveiy eleetor to vote for the candidate who cares most for the. Empire irrespective of party.

DAY BEFORE BATTLE. LONDON, Dec. 0. To-day’s weather on which so much depends, promises to la.* fine. The "Daily Herald” says:—"The Tory-Liberal plot to smash the Labour Party and revive the old sham fights over protection and free trade, lias tailed. The issue before the country is the straight one between the wageearners and profit-takers—between the workers and the idlers— Ijciwceii the new order and the old." .1. If. THOMAS’ PREDICTION. LONDON, Dec. 0. Mr .). 11. Thomas i Labour) at Derby to-night predicted that the election would end in a stalemate. He said: "There will not be a Government majority. An unprecedented constitutional difficulty will arise, necessitating a coalition, or another election in a few months. I know people who are deliberately planning this, because the Liberals and Conservatives have party | war chests, whereas Labour depends on the pence of the people.”

FRENCH BUSINESS WORLD'S VIEWS. LONDON. Dec. fi. The Morning Post 's Paris correspondent says: The French business world does not welcome protection in Fugland, but prefers protection to a Radical or Labour Government, as France would find it difficult to live on good terms with a British Labour Government, or a Cabinet controlled by Mr Lloyd George who in regarded (ps ft jwsariitl enemy of France,