The Guardian (And Evening Star, with which is incorporated the West Coast Times.) MONDAY, DECEMBER 10th, 1923. PRINCIPLE OR EXPEDIENCY.

Hokitika Guardian, 10 December 1923, Page 2

The Guardian (And Evening Star, with which is incorporated the West Coast Times.) MONDAY, DECEMBER 10th, 1923. PRINCIPLE OR EXPEDIENCY.

> (Im: oi' the Government candidates for I a London sear. in last, week’s great clccI licit whim wooing his constituents tu 1 favor o f .Mr iinl (twin’s policy, made the naive admission that protection was not i a question of principle, hut of expodii enoy. Apparently the nation weighed the iuoad issue on the definition and the verdict is to adhere to a principle instead of adopting something which at host is hut an expediency. The fiscal situation at Home resulting in the gieat crisis of unemployment, is said to lie high death duties and the super titx. Mr Baldwin wanted to get more revenue from other sources so as to reduce the pressure where, it was most harmful financially, and so he went headlong for preference. He knew that in principle Great Britain was at heart free trade, but lie thought it expedient to try a good sound dose of protection to provide more revenue, create more industry, and generally relieve both the financial strain and the pressure of the unemployment crisis. Air Baldwin’s decision in all the circumstances was a courageous one, hut the decisive step was taken unhesitatingly. Perhaps one or the things ho did not count upon was the healing of the Liberal breach, and the strengthening of tlvo opposition phalanx by inviting Messrs Lloyd George and Asquith on to a common platform. It is reasonable to expect also that lie believes his policy aiming at the succour of the unemploys.l. more friendly help might he expected from Labor. But that party made a dead set against the Government. The result of the greatest contest, the greatest in tlio political history of Great Britain, oven though it was so short, leaves the Government in a minority when pitted against the combined Opposition. A state of r.fFairs exists somewhat similar to that of colonial experience, hut rather more aggravated because the minority position of the Government is palpably plain. The jK’litieal situation is more complex than it was before, and will take some unravelling. Labor is excited over its gains and more bellicose than ever. The shadow of office it can soo looming ahead. The Liberals are puffed up, too, at their rejuvenation, but both parties must depend on the other to oust the Government. At Home as in most other countries there is not much likelihood of Liberal and Radical Labor coalescing, but there might He some degree of fusion. On the other hand, what are. the prospects of Unionists and Liberals joining forces ? The treatment the Liberals had at the breakup of the war-time coalition will not make them very tractable at this juncture, unless the Unionists are very amenable indeed. The protection expediency would have to he jettisoned certainly, and important concessions made to the Liberals in regard to some of tho chief portfolios. A very nice political situation 'might arise. Mr Baldwin, we take it, does not hanker after office for office cake. If he meets

1 ’in Lament and i.s defeated he might throw the onus upon the victors to attempt to form a stable government. Perhaps lie may not wait for Parliament to meet. He might be bold enough to advise the King to send for the lender of the principal opposing party, and let the Opposition work uut the political tangle. Unless there i.s some form of compromise or agreed upon coalition, the political balance in Britain will be .so uncertain that anything i.s possible. The 'situation is tar from satisfactory. Indeed it is a spiious outlook for it leaves the Motherland in a | recarious position with her political bent undefined and the sitoat ion most indefinite. There is delicate work ahead for some clear, devising head to heal the breach and to manipulate parties in such a way that a stable government might be established.