BRITISH ELECTIONS

Hokitika Guardian, 10 October 1931, Page 5

BRITISH ELECTIONS

THE REAL POLICY. MR BALDWIN STATES IT. (United Press Association.-—By Electric Telegraph.—Copyright.; LONDON, October ’B. Mr Stanley Baldwin has issued a manifesto on behalf of the National Government. He recalls that his decision to join the National Government was unanimously endorsed two nu.ntlis ago by the Conservative Party’s members and candidates. They then expected that this co-operation would he for “only a few weeks, but recent events had made it necessary that this period should he extended. The Budget had been balanced. Borrowings had been stepped, at a cost of sacrifices from every class, which sacrifices he hoped, and believed, as the result of a continuance of their policy, might be temporary. But they could not yet | balance the trade account, of the nation. In other words, they were not yet earning enough to pay for what , they had to buy from overseas. He continued: “To complete this work, it is imperative that the Government should'have a national mandate, giving it freedom to use whatever means may be found necessary, after careful examination, to effect; and in view of this, it is necessary that, in place of a small Parliamentary majority, we should have a. stable government, with a large majority, backed by the resolution of a great majority of the electors, In the international field we have to consider thp war debts and reparations, disarmament, the unequal distribution of the world supply of gold, and the mutual financial dependence of the countries of the world These questions may well tax the statesmanship of all nations. At H me the paramount question is that of the , adverse balance of trade, the redress of which is essential to secure our financial stability. This c&n be accomplished only by reducing our '.imports, by increasing exports, or by a combination of both. lam prepared to examine any method which can effect what is required. 1 recogn.se that the situation is altered by the devaluation of the pound, but. in mv view, tlie effect of that devaluation can be novalid substitute lor a tantt that is carefully designed and adjusted to met present needs. I shall,, . there, continue to press upon the electors that a tariff is the quickesi and most effective weapon, not only to reduce excessive imports, but to enable us to induce otlier countr.es to lower their tariff walls.” Regarding agriculture, Mr Baldwin’s manifesto advocates assistance to the cereal farmers by means of a quota and a guaranteed price for wheat to secure, the. farmers a gain.'t dumping. To make imperial treaties, which might be of enormous value to .the nation, they required such a free hapd as would allow the use of prohibitions, quotas, or duties whichever may seem moat effective. The problem of the Empire was to secure ncor.. nomic unity, He hoped the Canadian would renew its in' Ration . to the Ottawa Conference and there would be a unique opportunity when ; the' National Government .accepted . such an invitation.” *

■ TIMES” CONSTRUCTION.

(LONDON, October 9

Mr Baldwin’s •lnaniiiasto proved that the Conservative Party are Lot using the Government to then- own ends. It confirms the view that the sectional differences of the Ministers are really difference of emphasis, rather than 4Mf erenc;es principle. The manifesto proves Mr Baldwin’s commonsense. Jn 1 its reference to Canada, it aligns the old programme with the new conditions, with a proviso that imperial policy cannot be funded solely, on sentiment.” 1330 CANDIDATES. FUNDS NOT TOO PLENTIFUL

LONDON, October 9

It is predicted that the number of candidates will be under thriteen hundred, of whom the Conservatives Party and the Labour Party will provide one thousand. Shortness of cash is having a moderating effect. One candidate went to his Party’s headquarters and enquired what help he was likely to get, and when he was told twentyfive pounds, he immediately cancelled his candidature. THE GOVERNMENT CAMPAIGN. LONDON, October 9. Mr Baldwin's manifesto commands the approval of the Conservative press. Sir George the assistant Chief Conservative Whip, is acting as liason officer between the Conservative central office and the local Conservative Associations with a YtC'V to the avoidance of over-laping .ar.d vote splitting.

Mr Winston Churchill who is strongly supporting the National Government, opens his campaign at tipping on Saturday morning. MR SNOWDEN TO TAKE A HAND. LONDON. October 8. Although for health reasons he is B -.t standing for Parliament, Mr P. Snowden of the l 1 xplfequer), will participate in the election on behalf of the National jftoyerninent. * *0» t ; *

LIBERALS SUPPORT.

LONDON, October 8

Arrangements are being made to provide that twenty-five of the Liberals, who were in the last Parliament, "ill not be opposed by the Conservatives, and the case ! of others are being considered. These members include Mr .1. J. MacJ’herson, Mr Robert Hutchison, Mr William Edge, Mr .1. Lambert, Major Hore-Belisha, Sir J. Simon and Mr Wilton. Runciman.

LIBERAL SPLIT

LONDON, lOqtober 9

Sir Herbert Samuel, in opening the Liberal Party’s campaign at Bradford, said that, if lie had agreed to endorse a commitment to tariffs, the Liberal ! Party would have been even more sor- . iously divided than it wa* at present. The Liberals, lie said, were opposed to taxing the people’s food, and they would not agree thereto.- The Government most impartially examine the question of the adverse trade balance. If it were found necessary to restrict luxury imports as was proposed by Bt. Hon. W. Bunciman (Liberal), then tne Liberals must, not close their minds against such a possibility; but permanent tariffs, as had been advocated by the Conservatives for years, were not related to the present emergency.

The .Dnr wen Con servatives have adopted Captain Altn Graham to oppose Sir H. Samuel,

lit. Hon. W. Bunciman (Liberal), who previously announced that he was retiring from the St. Ive’g seat for business reasons, has now joined the National Liberals, saying he will support any tariffs necessary to avoid a crisis.

The local Conservatives, however, have a strong candidate ready to fight Mr Bunciman, Another curious situation arises at (Luton, where there are three candidates, Conservative, Liberal and Labour, all of whom claim the support of the National Government.

MACDONALD’S NEW PARTY

LONDON, October 9

M>’ MacDonald is going to Chequers Court to work quietly over the weekend. He will hold his first meeting at Seah’am on Monday night. Mr (Mac. Donald is most anxious for a better Labour backing in the next Parliament than at the end of the last. He Lopes to see thirty Labourites with him a least, instead of fourteen or fifteen. He has established the headquarters of his National Labour Party at Saint Stephen’s House, close to the Conservative Party’s central office.

LABOUR PARTY

PUTTING UP BIG FIGHT

LONDON, October 9. The official Labour Party is showing signs of putting up a big fight. It is noted that at the Scarborougn Conference, the title, Labour Party Conference, was definitely dropped. Mr Henderson and others specifically referred to the Socialist Party. Mr Henderson received a great send off from London. Crowds who were waiting for him at York sang “The Bed Flag,” and there was another -demonstration at King’s Cross, Mr Henderson, in his first speech in the election campaign, said that the Scarborough Conference of the Labour Party had, w r ith a determination more earnest than ever before, set the seal of approval on its programme aiming at the Socialist reorganisation of society. That was a mandate he would place before the country.