BRITISH ELECTIONS

Hokitika Guardian, 24 May 1929, Page 5

BRITISH ELECTIONS

ME BALDWTN’S WARNING. (United Press Association—By Electric Telegraph—Copyright). LONDON, May 23. M.r Baldwin sounded a note of warning at Bradford against tlie effect abroad of speeches of certain candidates, who, he said, seem to take a delight in blackening the character and reputation of their own country. He said that foreigners reading some speeches would come to the conclusion that Britain was down and out, and that a majority off her people were workless. Tie continued :“It is said we signed the Kellogg Pact with our tongue in our cheek, that wo have learned nothing from the great war. and that we are piling up armaments. It would he supposed there was nothin standing between Europe and perpetual peace except Great Britain. Therenever was such a complete caricature. Only demagogues'who think of winning el-ctior.s before either truth or pence would paint such a picture. This talk may seem childish to us, hut it does nothing hut harm to our reputation and trade abroad. I have never been so rash as to say ‘ All is well,’ but I have stated and state again the whole truth that the country has shown a marvellous and widespread recovery from the troubles of the war. We are definitely, recovering our position in trade 'of the world, and are doing it without having to repudiate our debts or inflate currency. Ninety per cent of our people are living at a. higher standard than ever before. We have reduced our fighting (forces and disarmed more than any other country in the world. I am convinced that with close co-operation between employers and men, both using their brains in reorganisation, prosperity is dawning and will continue.”

TARIFF PROTECTION. LONDON, -May 23. Safeguarding of industries (by tariff duties) has become a prominent election issue, at any rate in industrial centres. Mr Baldwin has announced a -triple prescription for British trade as follows Firstly, rationalisation ; secondly, safeguarding: thirdly, active development of Empire trade. He claims ihere are eighty thousand at- present in employment who, hut for the safeguarding McKenna customs duties, would he idle. He said all the safeguarded trades had progressed, alt employing more workmen, while prices on the home market were cheaper.

Mr Philip Snowden, on the contrary challenges anybody to point to any one safeguarded industry and show that safeguarding has had any beneficial effect.

Mr Snowden declare that lie will go further, and will prove that saleguarding has had an injurious effect- on practically all of them.

SOME COMPROMISES. "LONDON, .May 6. The ‘‘Daily News” says the Prime Minister, Mr Baldwin, has caused a sensation in political circles by overruling the Central Conservative organisation regarding the proposal to put up a Conservative candidate in opposition to Sir John Simon (a Liberal candidate), who is Chairman of the Indian Statutory Reform Commission, owing to his strong support ol Mr Lloyd George’s policy. Air Baldwin insists that his views expressed in .January, 1928, that Sir John Simon should not be opposed, have remained unaltered.

You have changed your politics,” shouted a Communistic heckler, when .Mr A. J. Cook, Secretary of the Miners’ Union, speaking at Pontypridd, Glamorgan, declared that lie was not going to allow Russia to decide, for England, or England to interfere with Russia. Both nail sufficient of their own problems. Later, when the interruptions continued, he said: “Do >on want a revolution? Anybody asking for that is an ignorant and inhuman devil.”

LIBERAL POLICY. (Received this day at 12.25. p.m.) LONDON. May 23. Nine points of the Liberal foreign policy is contained in a statement signed bv Mr Lloyd George. Lord Beauchamp, Herbert Samuel, Charles Hobhou.se and Lady Acland. The Liberal’s Primary object is to • Imlisli war as a method of settling international disputes also to work for an early large all-round reduction ol armaments; sign optional clauses by which justifiable disputes can be referred to a Court of International Justice with the necessary reservations regarding differences between

f the British Commonwealth. To re-establish as early as possible economic relations with Russia on . the basis ol iion-interlereiice with each other’s democratic affairs. ELECTION RETURNS. (Received this day at 11.25. a.m.) LONDON, May 23. The latest returns for tile Ulster elections are:—Unionists 34, Nationalists 11. Independent Unionists 2. Labour 1. Unionists and Nationalists 'have won a seat each from Labour.