BRITISH POLITICS.

Hokitika Guardian, 14 October 1924, Page 1

BRITISH POLITICS.

AUSTRALIAN AND N.Z. CABLE ASSOCIATION. PARTY POLITICS. LONDON, Oct 12. Air Baldwin in an exclusive message to the “Sunday Times” says:—Wo realise first and foremost the crying necessity is to develop our trade, and that the best markets are with the Overseas Dominions.

The “Sunday Tillies” political writer calculates the Conservatives lost ninety seats last election owing to the alienation of free traders from their party, who either voted Liberal or abstained. It estimates at least half of these seats will be regained. AD- AlacDonald spent the week-end a Chequers and proceeds to Glasgow on Monday to open the campaign. The Labour Executive in the Carnarvon district has decided to oppose Lloyd George. Collingwood Hughes, one ol two Conservatives who supported the Government on Wednesday, states he will not contest liio seat again, lie declares |,o thought the explanations by Air AlacDonald and Sir Patrick Hastings unequivocal and should have been accepted. , , . Sir Hainar Gdeenwoml, alter relusing to stand as a Liberal, was adopted as on anti-Soeialist Constitutoual candidate for East Walthamstow. ELECTION COAIAI ENT. LONDON, Oct, 12. An unsigned article on the editoii.il „f the “Observer” discussing the prospects of the election, says no one expects a big surprise, yet none led safe from it. Air Baldwin has strengthened his hold, with the tarilf issue out of the wav. Press support contrasted with the last struggle is again predominant. H adds that I.nhoriles reckon to return 250 strong. This is a large order, but who shall say.it is impossible. Labour throughout the year at everv serious lest has continued to gain far more than any other party. Lord ] lea verb-rook, in' the Sunday “Express” declares the interest of the people demands a .Ministry with a dear majority. The Conservative party alone commands the prospect ol attaining such a majority in the next House.

THE PREMIERS’ TOUR. LONDON, Oct, 12. Air AfacDoiuild’s tour has been organised spectacularly, lie travels ip a motor-car decorated with white heather and streamers. A second car carries a special amplifier, capable ol broadcasting his voice neatly a mile. TRI \NHULAR CONTESTS. LONDON, Oct. 12. The movement to prevent triangular contests is developing. Seven out of fifteen triangular contests in Loudon in 1023 will lie straight lights. On (he other band some Liberals are desirous ol becoming Labour candidates in the constituencies lor which they were elected in 1323. LIBERAL AIAXIEF.STO. LONDON, Oct. 12. The Liberal election manifesto, which is signed by Air Asquith and Air Lina il George, advocates peace, social reform ami "national development. It emphasises the desirability ol free tiade, urges the extension and eo-ordinaton of insurance and electoral rclorm, proposes the Stale acquisitition of the mineral rights in ci>alliehl> and the Slate aided establishment of superpMwcr stations. Tin* manifesto outlines proposals for dealing with the rural ami urban laud problems and castigates Labour's lailt„ .solve tbe soi iAI .problems, and opposes the Anglo-Soviet Treaty. It proposes hold ami democratic treatment of the questi the excessive coir-uiiiption of liquor. THE LABOUR AIANIFKSTO. LONDON. Oct, 12. The Labour manifeso dwells on its achievement in the direction of securing peace of the nations and the restoration of industry and commerce. It declares that Labour lias strengthened the ties of sentiment with the Dominions, whereon, rather than upon, either force or any Imperialism, the verv existence of the British Commonwealth of Nations depends. It claims that the Anglo-French relations have been establish, d and important steps taken at Gem- a towards arbitration, security and general disarmament. 1 lie •Labour Government refused to exclude from this genera] pacification tbe Russian people, wherewith it was essential to resume trade in the interests of the unemployed and the coiiulia as >i whole. The manifesto claims marked success in finance and declares that the Liberal and Conservative fear of the second I ..hour Budget was responsible for the ejection. Lengthy details are given ol measures to relieve the unemployment, and a policy of national development ; also outlines of contemplated measures. including the reorganisation ol the mining industry on lines ol national ownership, drastic dealing with the poor law system, the taxation ol land values, a national electricity system providing cheap power, the reorganisation of the whole system of transport, including tbe national ownership «>< railways and canals, the prevention ol profiteering in conjunction with the system of the bulk distribution of foodslufiY. under arrangements with the Dominions and other Governments, the improvement of workmen’s compensation. and nil act for the prevention of excessive working hours. The manifesto concludes with a special word to women and an appeal I<> the people to support Labour’s steadfast march towards the transformation of the existing economic and industrial system to a genuine socialist commonwealth.

FLECTION N K\VS. LONDON. October IT. Sunday passed quietly, despite a noisy meeting in Trafalgar Square, the candidates generally resting preparatory to a strenuous week, though a few Labour meetings were held in tHe provinces, including speeches. by Air Aruthc.r Henderson, and Air Sidney "Webb. , The leaders of all parties remained iu London, putting tbe final touches to their manifestos. One topic of conversation in the constituencies during the week-end was as t 0 the method of ensuring that Labour should not he returned on minority votes. It was generally agreed that the local associations must retain the filial decision as to wether it is possible to avoid splitting tho anti-Socialist voto, as it was considered essential to avoid any suggestion that there was an alliance between the Unionists and tho Liberals, which would amount to a renewal of tho Coalition. The “Daily Herald,” however, asserts that Lord Beavcrbrook is workinc- hard to eliminate Liberal and Tory conflicts on the lines of his unsuccessful attempt to revive tho Coalition last election. “The Daily Herald” also states that Lord Botherinere has cabled from France to his on Friday to “lie cautious in your election articles,” ending “Ramsay may win.” The rush election has resulted in a remarkable number of contests being fought by tho wives and relatives, owing to’ the absence of candidates abroad. Thus Colonel AloDonell, a Conservative, tho son of the Earl of Antrim, is hurrying from Canada to contest Dartford, where his wife, who is a daughter of Mr Henry Arthur Jones, the dramatist, is putting dp a great fight on her husband’s behalf.

Air Sydney Webb, speaking at Alurton Colliery, said that if the Government were returned, tho nationalisation of tho mines would be introduced next session. The Labour Party believed that it could get rid of a largo proportion ol tho war debt by means of a special redemption levy. AIACDONALD’S CAAIPAIGN. LONDON, October 12. Air Ramsay AlacDonald begins motoring on his electioneering tour on Atunday. He addresses his first meeting at Glasgow J on Monday, and proceeds to New castle on Tuesday via Sterling. He goes thence to Edinburgh, speaking at many places on route. 'lhe Premier then tours Yorkshire, Lancashire, and Wales.

Labour demonstrations have been prepared for him everywhere. He avill deliver Jilty speeches in four days. LONDON, October 12. A speech each by Messrs AlacDonaid, Baldwin and Asquith, avill be broadcasted throughout the country. The Postmaster-General has sanctioned tlie British Broadcasting Company sending one speech of each Party •Leader during the coining week. Tho speeches are- to be distributed in the most impartial and concise form from all stations simultaneously. They avill thus reach the homes of several million electors, A Liberal meeting at Aberavon, adopted Captain Williams, a barrister, as i-e Liberal candidate to oppose Air AlacDonald. Air Arthur Henderson, at Burnley, detailed the Geneva. Protocol, and claimed that it made aggressia*o war henceforth an international crime. The responsibility for aggression avould bo almost automatically determined. 'Tho British Navy was not going to bo sent on “wild goose expeditions, hut would be used as our Government determines.

WINSTON CHURCHILL. IjOXDON, October 12. Air W. Churchill, in his election address, says he whole-heartedly supports the Conservatives and their programme of social reform and imperial consolidation. He declares that as a general protective tariff is not part of tho Conservative programme, lie supports the principlo of the Safeguarding of Industries Act and also imperial preference. lie asserts: “The brief experiment of Socialist minority rule ended in a dismal failure. The Socialists are still our rulers. They seek to gain voles by enlisting the forces of discontent in u. revolutionary movement against this double attack, we fall back on the common sense, and enduring loyalty of the masses, and the nation delivers a smashing attack on Bolsheviks and their devilish work, which Air MacDonald and his Cabinet seek to help and succour with floods of hard-earned British money.”

COALMEN IST l)E AI ON STR AT lONS LONDON, Oct. 12.

Communists held a demonstration in Trafalgar Square, and condemned the Labour Conference’s recent resolution excluding Communists from the Party. Air Tom Ahum spoke. Jle said: “No one living can keep me out of Ihe Labour Alovemeiit. 1 am a Social Ilevolulionary. 1 have been in prison before. and am prepared to go again if necessary.” Air Campbell (editor of the “Workers’ Weekly”) also spoke, lie repudiated the idea of the Attorney-Gen-eial, Sir Patrick Hastings, that ho (Campbell) was a foolish young fellow, misled by tin? Communists. lie was. lie said, a revolutionary agitator. Although the speakers condemned Labourites, they advised their audience to vote for the Labour Party candidates. A disturbance took place when the meeting dispersed. Four Communists avoro arrested. Their comrades accompanied them to the Police Station, singing “The Rod Elag.”

CO AI Al UN IST AI AN IF F.STt). LONDON, Oil. 12,

A Communist election manifesto describes tho election as The fight of the working class against tin* capitalist class. It. demands the nationalisation of mines, railways, industries, the land and (In* banks ; also a capital levy, tbe repudiation of the Dawes report, and the cancellation of the war debts and of reparations. The manifesto declares:* A Labour Government must establish a dictatoisliip of the working class. It demands a national minimum wage of four pounds weekly, with a maximum of a fortv-liour week. It demands Ratification of tbe Soviet Treaty, and the declaration of the independence of Ireland, India, Egypt-, and other colonies. FRTENDS AND FOES. LONDON, October 13. The “Daily Express” declares that Labour lias made overtures to the 11 Liberals who voted with the Government on Wednesday, and also to others who have shown Labour sympathies in (.lie past session. Labour offers not to oppose them in their constituencies, in return for their support in the House of Commons. On the other hand, Labour is determined to run "‘recking Candidates against those Liberals, who during the past session, voted mostly with the Conservatives.