BRITISH POLITICS.

Hokitika Guardian, 23 October 1924, Page 2

BRITISH POLITICS.

iUBTHAUAN AND N.Z. CABLE ASSOCIATION. A CONTRADICTION. i LONDON, Oct. 22. ’The “Morning Dost,” commenting oil tlie telegram to British Labour from the New Zealand Labour Party, cabled on October 18th. says: “We have received from a well-informed New Zealand correspondent a cable saying tiie message gives a totally inaccurate impression of the real views of the General Labour Movement in that Dominion. The New Zealand workers, so far from endorsing the British Socialist action, wore not even consulted regarding the expression of opinions cabled, as the New Zealand Lalxmr Party merely represents a section of the employees, and many of the Labour Unions are not affiliated to it.”

STATEMENT BY MR ASQUITH. LONDON, bother 22.

A statement by Mr Asquith; at Paisley, is being given prominence, in which he said that both of the old political parties believe they are confronted at this election by a common danger, which, without loss of identity or compromise of principle, they are making reciprocal efforts to avert. For my own part,” he said, ”1 see nothing in such procedure which violates, in any way, the rigorous code ni public honour and political eonsistenov.”

The “ Daily Telegraph ” comments that: “the Liberal and Unionists nlik.i welcome this declaration, which it is held, should clear up any doubts which Liberals may have entertained regarding their duty in the present election.”

REPLY TO MR ASQUITH. LONDON, October 22

Sir P. Snowden, speaking in Colne Valley, and commenting on Mr Asquith’s statement, asked how long had Labour been the common enemy? How long was it since they were told that the Liberal and Labour Parties were agreed upon nine-tenths of (lie Labour programme? In sight of the most provocative speeches there is no fresh light on the Campbell ease. The “Daily Telegraph” editorially, says it doubts if it is worth pursuing, and adds that only an investigation can now decide whether the Ministers are right in declaring that there was absolutely nothing left mi revealed, or whether Lord Birkenhead is right in declaring there are further grave facts which have not yet been brought to light. LIBERAL VOTE UNCERTAIN. LONDON, October 22. With only a clear week to polling day, all parties are working their hardest. Colonel Jackson (Chairman of the Conservatives’ Organisation) after a tour of the constituencies, cxpresed tho opinion that the (onsorvative Party will he returned with an increase in strength. He says “1 do not think the Liberals will vote Socialist hut there may he many abstentions from voting. Liberal candidates in a .straight light depend on the Conservative vote more than the ( onsorvatives can depend on the Liberal vote. The experience of the Conservative candidates is that the country is deeply interested in the question <>f Empire development, which is an ellective counter blast to the internationalism of tlie Socialist Party.” LONDON October 21.

Lord C'urzou, speaking at London said it was unfair for Mr MacDonald to insinuate that when Labour entered office it found the wreckage of previous mistakes. "Oil the contrary, he said, “I had the private, personal assurance of each Dominion Minister attending the Imperial Conference that they wore entirely satisfied with the Conservative foreign policy, and desired nothing better. Mr- MacDonald showed prudence and sell-restraint when first in i llice. I can’t understand how such a cautious and far-sighted politician committed such an astounding blunder as the Aughr-Soviet Treaty. The Bolsheviks frequently have burned me by elegy, because 1 maintained British rights; hut a Russian woman desired to burn a candle for me in church. Are candles now burning for Mr MacDonald in Moscow? The Labourites have no conception of the Imperial idea. The Campbell case and the Anglo-Soviet Treaty show that the Government is in the hands of its own gunmen. The country will revolt against the extremists who pull the strings that hold the Premier in bondage.” LONDON, October 22. Mi- Baldwin, released from his activities in his own constituency, where he was not opposed, continued the campaign throughout the country. Ho spoke last night at Southend, where referring to the rejection of the imperial preference proposals, he said that when the day came that a British Dominion entered into a commercial treaty with the United States, Britain might as well prepare to go out of the business.

Mr Austen Chamberlain, at Birmingham, said :—“ It is in cultivating trade with the Dominions that we shall find a better remedy for unemployment than in kowtowing to the bloody, ruthless tyranny which has devastated Russia, and has destroyed her credit.”