BRITISH POLITICS.

Hokitika Guardian, 15 October 1924, Page 2

BRITISH POLITICS.

tUHTUALIAN AND N.Z. CAULK ASSOCIATION. BRITISH ELECTIONS. SELECTING CAN D 1 DATES. LONDON,* Oct. 14. Apart from Air MacDonald’s opening campaign speech, the most noticeable features yesterday were developments in connection with the selection of candidates throughout the country. These arc likely to afford the chief interest for several days. Following on an announcement that the Conservatives will not oppose Mr Asquith, came the news that his henchman, Sir Donald Mac Lean. has decided to contest East Cardiff, leaving a Conservative to light the Labourite m the Trndestown Division of Glasgow. The Earl of Derby visited Leigh, in Lancashire in connection with the local situation, after which the Liberal Association withdrew its candidate, leaving a Conservative candidate to fight Labour there. Apart from the actual withdrawals, there are several cases ill which each Opposition Party is not proceeding to choose a candidate where the other party lias already a strong candidate in tiio licld. The effect of those party moves on the rank and file remains an enigma. The “Morning Post.” comments on the impression existing at the Labour headquarters that the Labour laity will got appreciable support from the radical section of the Liberal Party. It *nvs • This should make the Conservative Associations everywhere cautious in their arrangements with the Liberals over the three-cornered contests Another factor in the situation is that there is a cleavage between fh<* Liberals and the Conservatives regarding the tariff preference question wliuh was indicated yesterday in a resolution against preference passed by the Executive* of the National Liberal I (‘delation. as well as one passed by tlie Free Trade Union: tbe resolutions asking the candidates to pledge themselves a( r ainst protective preferential duties. Describing an avalanche of Crniservative leaflets, the “-Morning Rost savs: These an* not only against tbe Socialists. A liith* folder reminds tl’i* voters that the Liberals, bv opposing preference. show that they want to keen the home market for foreigners The most interesting development on the Labour side is the adoption of Dr Addison, tin* former Liberal Minister. :1S (lie Labour candidate against Sir null tbe Conservative, in

i lammersinith South. At Carnavon. the Labourites have adopted Professor Zimmern to oppose Air Lloyd George. All the parties are calling attention to the great body of electors who did not vote at last election. Instances are given as follows: West l.ovton. where 11.370 did not record their votes last time: Whitechapel 10.900: and Shoreditch, where loss than AO per cent, ot the electors polled. LONDON. Oct. It. All H. Ib-l.er. who was eb*'.ted lor Richmond (Surrey) in 1022. as an Independent. and again last year as a Conservative, states that In* will not. contest the seat, on the ground that he has been disowned by the newly-form-ed local Conservative Association, which has adopted Sir Newton Moore who is expected from South A trim on Saturday. LONDON. Oct. 13. The 'news from the constituencies shows that there will he local cn-opera-tiuu between the Liberals and the C onservatiyes mi a considerable scale. tin* Conservatives expert, to In* helped and no longer to be hampered by lln* dear price of lend, which alienated from them a big women’s vote in 1923. The Conservatives will also la* helped by popular newspapers vigorously supporting their party. LONDON: Oct. 11.

Colonel Shaw, a Unionist lias withdrawn his candidature tor Paisley, leaving Mi Asipiitli a straight light against the Labourite, Air Alit'liell. LONDON. Ort. Uk The “Daily Express” which at tlie last election gave the Conservatives inilv lake warm sunnort, is now strongly opposing tin* Labour Party. s on the ground that the cause of Imperial unit v lias been moved backwards by the Singapore naval base decision, which, it argues, is not unlikely a betrayal of Australia and New /calami. It says this impression is deepened bv the alhiwitig of tin* .lapane.se to insert a clause in the fleneva Protocol, which would comnol Australia and Now Zealand to arbitrate in connection with coloured immigration on pain, possibly, of h:iviii•*-. tin* British Fleet used against them. PREMIER'S RADUJ SPEECH. LONDON. Oct. 11. Tin* broadcasting of Air .MacDonald's speech lias not been regarded as a complete success. The listeners lost passages when his voice fell, nr when the speaker turned, or even strode along the platform. Nevertheless, the “Daily Express” states that its shorthand writers were aide to take verbatim passages of the speech in its London office. Air MacDonald said that two great Parties, professing to lie fundamentally imposed, were going on their knees to each other, and were arranging to withdraw candidates because they were afraid of 1 alinur.

In defending the Rmsian Loan, the Premier said that if the first instalment ef ten millions were issued, it would become credit for Russian orders, and would not leave tip* country at all.

Tn a speech at Glasgow, which lias been brivdcasted t brotigbo'il tbe conn*i'V. air Ramsay MieDonidd emnliasisei] t’*ni •*; iv iv*t.-> two-thirds of tbe Russian loan would be snout, in British industrial centres. “When Labour conic i”(e office.” he said, the l eague of Nations cruelieallv was dving. AY“ vent to Geneva and gave a lead, and the League to-day is more vigorous Hem ever.”

Air Alin Do'uild eomnlaiiU'd that the '"'overnmeiit bail not had fair plav **> Parliament., where it had met with Tiettillagging and partisan trickery, to nrevent an honest Government from doing its -verk. In •■•on-hision. the Prime Minister ar.-ieal o d to the nation tn nut an e»d *.< iliese eoet emut ibh* narlv lietii-s. bv ''iving the Government a dear majoritv.

Miss Tsah.l At:, ..Donald also spoke. S'*e said- “Eather lias t"hl ve” that the Governiuent has won the confidence of the count *v, H” is 100 merest. Th" fJoveri*c’e»it bas von tbe confide*** '* of this nation, and of Hie werld. T me"* ambaseeders a**d e*lie-s from abraad. They tell ma. tbnnn-h fliev are not. very kee'l to do i* ilia* t l ”* La'-onr Gevernment the world has found a friend.”