BRITISH POLITICS.

Hokitika Guardian, 9 March 1931, Page 6

BRITISH POLITICS.

FUSION MOVE. t United Press Association—By Electric ieiegrapn—. LONDON, March 6. "The Times er’ political writer says:—“There is little doubt that a movement tor some lorm of ii LioeralConservative alliance is gaining ground considerably in the country • but it is realised that the overtures must begin m tiie constituencies, rather than at the headquarters of the political parties.” A FREE TRADER'S STATEMENTS. LONDON, At a roll 7. Earl Beauchamp, replying to the Conservative offers for re-iipproach-nieiit with the Liberals told the Alidland Liberals.- “Speaking personally J give a complete and absolute reiusal to their invitation that we should sacrifice our free trade principles in order to enter a coalition. ’’

LIVELY RYE-ELECTION. * LONDON, March 7. Mi' Cooper (Conservative), opening his election campaign yesterday at St 'George’s Westminister, which promises to be one of the liveliest nature, defended Mr Baldwin. Hr defined the issue as being whether the Conservative Party should be allowed to choose its own leader, or should (submit to a dictatorship of the Lord Rotherrnere or Lord Beaverbrook section of the press. OPPOSITION TO MOSLEY IT KS. LONDON, March 7. The “Daily Herald” says:—The Labour Party intends to challenge the Mosley group in their own oonstitutencies. Official candidates are now being selected. Mr MacDonald and other members of the Cabinet will ■speak on their behalf. BRITISH ESTIMATES. A SLIGHT INCREASE. LONDON, March 7. Civil servica estimates total £317,811,000, an increase of £B-. 402,000. Tlie Revenue Department estimates total £60,800,000, a decrease of £26,990,000. Ihe net increase is £6,803,000. Among the increases are:—Ministry of Labour £7,775,000; old age pensions. £1,348,000; widows’ pensions, £1,0C0: Empire 1 marketing, £463,000. An interesting decrease is that in Government liospi- 1 tality to £12.000. instead of £47.000. The beet sugar subsidy is £2,150.000 < instead of £6,000,000. The Dominions’ Services vote is £99.000 an increase of £17.000. Among the decreases are;—Passages of Governors, £10,000; Nauru and Ocean Islands. £30,000. Among the increases is that for representation in the Dominions, £13,. non. file Imperial Economic Conference | cost £IO,OOO.