BRITISH POLITICS.

Hokitika Guardian, 25 October 1924, Page 3

BRITISH POLITICS.

AUSTRALIAN AND IT.E. CABLE ASSOCIATION,

t‘!Ll-!tTl(>.\ JOTTINGS: LONDON, Oct, ‘2l. The dear food cry lias again heen raised. The Conservative headquarters claim that definite information is in their possession that the Liberals up and down the country, are reviving it. Conso(|Uently. in addition to Mr .Baldwin's references to it at Grnvescnd. the Conservative Control Ollire last night issued a statement, approved by Mr Baldwin and other Conservative leaders, characterising as absolutely untrue, a “statement emanating from Liberal sources, that the Conservatives propose to tax food, and raise the cost of living.” ft adds that the proposal to carry out arrangements with the Dominions at the Imperial Conference last year, does not involve any increase in the cost of living. v There is evidence that the Conservatives and Liberals are drifting apart rather than closing up their ranks against the Labourites, ns advised by a number of the leaders of Irfith parties.

The “Daily Telegraph” says:— “There always has been a suspicion that the Liberals, as an eleventh hour manoeuvre, might seek to win votes as at last election, by spreading the dear food legend.” The/“Morning Post” describes the dear food cry as “the Liberals’ despairing efforts.” The "Daily Irerahl” says:—“The Liberal rank and file is in revolt clamouring to be led, not against Labour but against the Tories.”

The Labourites yesterday predicted they will make a net gain of £rom 20 to 00 seats. Mr Phillin Snowden, at Colne Valley, last night, indicated that the Labourites did not expect a clear majority. and suggested there would be a coalition, adding:—“Like the last, it will be a Tory coalition in everything but. name.”

Mr Lloyd Ceorge. speaking at Pembroke, said:—“lf you wipe out the Liberal Parte. Socialism will become inevitable. They will soon settle the Tory Partv, and there will be nothing left'.” A number of meetings have again been disorderly. Several candidates abandoned their meetings altogether. KPMIRK TRADE. LONDON. Oct. 23. Mr Baldwin in a manilcsto to women appeals for support ol a policy to encourage Kmpire trade by means of Imperial preference. The Liberals are eagerly using this for election purposes. They point out that increasing Conservative confidence lias emboldened Mr Baldwin to discard his previous vagueness, and frankly admit the Conservative intention to impose food taxes and introi>ticc the protectionists' Kmpire grown food scheme, which the electorate rejected ill 1023. LONDON, Oct. 21. Mr Brailsford, in explaining Labour’s agricultural policy to a National Conference of farmers, convened by the Independent Labour Party, said that the great problem was to eliminate the colossal wastage of sixty to seventy millions sterling annually between the producing farmers’ receipts and the housewives’ payments. Cooperation, alone, was insufficient. Labour proposed to adopt the lessons derived from ttie part time experiments, and to establish a State Supply Board to deal with all imported foodstuffs competing with the British farmers produce, and to fix prices. 'lbis Board would bo the sole importer of meat and wheat with the result that British farmers would know, when they sowed a crop, what it would produce. The gambling element would thus be removed. The farmers would be helped hv an Agricultural Credit Bank. LONDON. Oct. 23. Mr Moldon has introduced scientific electioneering, including a small newspaper and a travelling committee in a motor caravan. LONDON'. Oct. 23. The Federation of British Industries alarmed at references to nationalisation .in the Labour manifesto of Oct. 11 tli., held an emergency meeting, which requested Mr MacDonald aceuiatoly to state Labour's intentions. VA It lOCS STATK.M KNTK. [Reuters .Tei.eokams.J (Received tnis dav ot 9.25 a.m 1 LONDON. Oct. 24. Mr Baldwin’s statement was in the paturo of a reply to the Liberals who are developing an anti-protectionist

campaign. Mr Baldwin tleclared lie would not depart from the pledges given the Dominion representatives last year regarding Imperial preference : hut such a. policy would not involve the taxation of food. Mr Neville Chamherlaiu, at Ualsaii. declared that while the Conservatives did not intend to introduce a general tariff, they were free to protect any l>artieular industry, which was being undermined by unlair competition, by the introduction of a new Saleguarding of Industries Hill. Mr Balfour, Sir Robert Horne anil Sir John (lilmour sent a letter to the press urging the Unionist electors of Scotland to vole any support the Liberal nominee in all constituencies where there was no Unionist candidate, saving the difference between the Liberals and the Unionists was inconsiderable during the present critical election as compared with the fundamental disagreement, separating both from Socialism. LONDON, Oct. 21. The “Times” city editor says that Go per cent, was accepted on the I.ondon insurance market to-day to cover the risk of a Conservative majority.