“MUDDLE AND MISTAKE”

Otago Daily Times, Issue 26635, 4 December 1947, Page 5

“MUDDLE AND MISTAKE”

RECORD OF BRITISH LABOUR GOVERNMENT LIBERAL LEADER’S VIEWS N.Z.P.A. Special Correspondent Rec. 9 p.m. LONDON, Dec. 3. Replying to a protest by Mr Isaac Foot against his decision to speak as a Liberal in support of a Conservative candidate at the Epsom by-election. Lord Simon said: “1 shall speak as a Liberal-National-dhat is to say ; as a man of lifelong Liberal convictions who feels, as do many other Liberals, that the most important thing at this time is to defeat Socialist candidates and so help overthrow the present Government. “Its record ia'one of muddle, mismanagement, and mistake,” he con-

tinued. “The majority of sensible citizens will, I hope, agree with Mr Churchill that the time has come to sack the lot. Liberalism is a point of view. Its application may change as history unrolls. To my mind the rudest claim it can make is that it has so largely permeated the national policy that many Liberals are, in fact. Conservatives without knowing it.“ Lord Simon refused a challenge by Mr Foot to debate publicly his (Lord Simon’s) right to speak as a Liberal. “ This is an ancient wheeze to secure cheap publicity,” he said. “ I hold my opinions quite unabashed.” Fresh from his victory at Gravesend, Sir Richard Acland has joined in the- by-election campaign at Epsom. Although Epsom is -a traditionally safe Conservative seat, the Conservative candidate. Mr Maurice McCorquodale, is taking no risks, and electioneering is proceeding vigorously. The Labour Party has brought m Mr Frank Shepherd, who successfully, organised the Gravesend campaign, to conduct a cavass for the Labour candidate. Mr R. Bishop. Several Labour members, including the Colonial Under-secretary, Mr D. Rees Williams, are supporting Mr Bishop’s campaign. Six thousand new voters have been added to the Epsom electoral lists since the general election, when the Conservative candidate had a majority of 6548 in a three-cornered contest.

On this occasion there is again a Liberal (Mr D. A. Scott Cairns, a distinguished K.C.) in the field. The poll will take place on Thursday.