THE BRITISH VIEW

Hokitika Guardian, 29 November 1928, Page 7

THE BRITISH VIEW

LABOUR jn politics

In view of the political situation in New Zealand it is interesting to note that much discussionn the Home Country is centred around the relationship of parties. Air Lloyd George lias stated very definitely that the Liberal Party cannot enter into any understanding, formal or informal, with any party in any circumstances to advance measures or policies in which the party disbelieves and which the party knows tn lie detrimental to the interests of the country. The party is pledged to resist every every attempt to set up wlmt is known as a Socialist State and to substitute nationalisation ifor private enterprise. If, however, a Liberal Government is not attainable in the next Parliament Air Lloyd George states that “ there is a vast territory common to men of progressive minds in all parties which they can at any rate during this interval agree to cultivate without abandonding any of the principles and ideals which they cherish, hut in these circumstances the conditions of co-operation and understanding must lie honourable to all and humiliating to none.” Mr Riincinian, in a later speech, emphasised certain points. He said:—

“ Neither now nor during the election would I lie any party to surrendering the claim of Liberals to tbe confidence of the country and their ambition to secure a clear majority for their own views in Parliament. Bargains and pacts arc demoralising; they load inevitably to coupon elections; and tbe only line for a solf-rospecting party is to fight for the acceptance o'f its own views without compromise or alliances.

" Even if there were no question of self-respect, the political situation in Great Britain demands a clear assertion of unalloyed Liberalism, both in resistance to Socialism—with all the gambling risks that that entails to the livelihood of our people—and to protection, which, in this country, is only a gamble of another nature. “The Socialists, on the one hand, preach and depend on class antagonism. The Conservatives, on the other hand, are largely actuated by class fear. Each of those, in their policy, wish to pick and chose in favour of the section of the population which they like best. There remains, therefore, a crying need for the preservation of the impartial progress which has always been the characteristic of Liberal propaganda and legislation.”

Mr Philip Snowden, one of tbe leaders of the Labour Party, commenting on Air Lloyd George’s speech, said:— “ I agree with him when he says that if no one party has a majority then the party which takes office cannot be expected to carry out its own policy fully, regardless of the support upon which it will have to rely irom some other political party. “ Alav 1 say this, whether it he palatable or not. T do not want a Labour Party which lias not a majority in tbe House of Commons, and which lias