The Guardian And Evening Star, with which is incorporated the West Coast Times. TUESDAY, MAY 21, 1929. THE BRITISH ELECTIONS.

Hokitika Guardian, 21 May 1929, Page 4

The Guardian And Evening Star, with which is inco rporated the West Coast Times. TUESDAY, MAY 21, 1929. THE BRITISH ELECTIONS.

'I an s-age is now set ior tlie British i-loei i ns. V ..steruay nominations closed, ami witli on:y nine days mterven,a» to ]>o ling day, there will bo crowda! operations by the parties and their candidates to over the ground as effectually as possible. The polilica! quid mines are busy giving their opinions, but on this occasion' there is a new and incoherent vote to lake into account, and little chance of estimating its nia.o l ' bent. Jt does seem, however, that Mr Stanley Baldwin is lidding on Iris way. with much quiet calm ami confidence as to tho issue, ill's pica to the electors is for safety first in politics, as in all tilings. The Conservative record is before the nation, whi.e the Labour and Liberal programmes are those merely of promise in regard to problems, the very nature ol which .seem to defy any royal mail to success. The elections on this occasion are more domestic in their

ccLiml hearing than ever. There is no outstanding issue affecting foreign affairs as there lias been before so often. Great Britain’s place with the U oriel Powers is now well understood. The Anglo-American relations are often referred to. but there need be no fear in reality for any serious outdone from flint quarto l '. It is essentially to matters within the United Kingdom that the main attention of the electors will he given. And of those subjects unemployment and industry are the outstanding matters for attention. The Government lias grappled with b >th questions long and earnestly, luit only with a measure of success. Further assistance is to he given to industries, and the helping hand mav or may not afford the desired relief. Both Labour and Liberal have more certain ways to their way of thinking to meet the issue, and so there is a triangular fight to - determine who is to prevail. The Liberals are cutting across the strength of both parties. The magnetism of Mr Llovd George as'a leader is ol great value in such a crisis. Iml. it wdl he a remarkable achievement indeed if " I this juncture, he ‘Vimvcs hack to political power. Biegardi.ng the experience of New Zealand l"si NYvembei the ret urn of the Liberals is not ns impossible as miuiv nev choose tn think. Cert a i nl v. the l.i'eral« are n special factor in this ligM nud b 'e t be lak'en into account. I be two cliatiees, as it were, either in absnlulelv dominant. nr sutfineiit ly

strong to lie the key party to keep one or the other parties in power. Actually we regard the Liberals as the more formidable if tliero is to be any change in the immediate political fortune of Great Britain. Labour, it is agreed on all sales, will nia.ve gains, but is not likely to achieve a. supremely dominant posit i: n. It may Ik* possible for Labour to hold oflico by the grace of the Liberals, as in former years, but that will be too precarious a si.nation t> be lasting. It would mean La our G vermncnl with a very Ife t.vc brake on. Genera ly, therefore, die issue is in very grave doubt, and the die appears likely to be cast in the main on the swing of the new born w mien voters. It is conceivable hat the vast majority of these may be opp .sod to any very radical change. Che safe traditions of Conservatism as regards foreign relations, and the knowledge of what is being done to improve Home affairs, combined with l.lio national confidence in Mr Baldwin, the type of Englishman all must admire, will carry weight wi h those who ill ink outs de of party prospects. But the issue is in the laps of the Gods, and in the meantime it is clear no stone is left nil urn d to place be"ore tin' electors the issues of the day and the policies of the- parties. Novel was there a more interesting political contest in Great Britain.