MR STANLEY BALDWIN

Hokitika Guardian, 6 February 1930, Page 5

MR STANLEY BALDWIN

CON SER VATt V E LEA DIOR’S speech.

L United Press Association,—By Electric Telegraph.—Copyright.]

(Received this day at 10 a.m.‘ LONDON, Feb. 5

Addressing a meeting of three thousand Conservatives at Coliseum Theatre, Mr Stanley Baldwin sqid: “Our Ministerial progress lia.s been set bale nve years in eight months of Labour Government. Regarding the Naval Conference we wish the Government well. \\e are as keen on the progress of disarmament as any other party. Conservatives will not have anything to do with a tariff truce. There can be no such tning. It is like a country armed with bow and arrows arranging writ'll countries armed with modern artillery, not io add another bow and arrow to its armament. For two years we have never used modern artillery. It is time we did. if we are to cepe with unemployment. We must have a free hand in safeguarding the country’s manufactures- /Safeguarding has been successful beyond all criticism 1 in the limited sphere' in which it has been employed.” He did not know whether the day would come when the British Empire would become one unit like United States, guarded by one tariff with a vast area of free trade within, but he was assured the course he recommended would be the safest and surest to take, if we wished to reach the common goal of a united Empire. He was convinced the proper method of approaching the question of unifying the British Empire lay primarily through the industrial side. Every effort should be made, without delay, to bring about arrangements between the industries of this country and corresponding industries in the Dominions and India. It was most important that nothing should be done to diminish the value of the limited preference Britain lias accorded the Dominions. No European committments should be made which would prevent Britain expanding the policy of reference in order to supplement and fortify inter-imperial trade agreements.