PREMIER SEES KING

Rotorua Morning Post, Volume 1, Issue 37, 6 October 1931, Page 3

PREMIER SEES KING

3ress Assn.-

government must have unfettered power LETTER FROM LORD GREY

— By Telegraph — Copyriglit).

RUGBY, Sunday. The Prime Minister had an audince with the King this morning, smaining nearly an hour with His lajesty. It is understood that the eneral political situation and the vents of the last few days formed he topic of discussion. It is considered unlikely that any efinite announcement as to the fuure trend of political events will be nade before next week. Political ircles assume that an early general dection is now certain.

In a letter to "The Times," Vis:ount Grey expresses the view that ;he whole world is affected by the inancial currency trouble. The Govjrnment must have the power to deal yith emergencies, some of which it may not be possible to foresee. In such times the Government must not be tied by restrictions, and it would therefore be unreasonable for free traders, in supporting the National Government, to qualify their support by excluding tariffs from the powers given to the Government for dealing with really emergency situations. He pointed out, however, that the Conservatives are urging that Candidates should be pledged to fulfil the Conservative programme of" protection and preference. The issue of free trade versus protection, the wriSte maintains, is out of date, and paramount issue to be put before the country should be the desirability of economy and sound finance. Viscount Grey has now made it plain that he does not support Mr. Lloyd George's uncompromising opposition to an eleetion, and insists that economy and sound finance should be the paramount issue. If the tariff were made the issue the eleetion would degenerate into a party fight and th'e national cause be jeopardised. Mrj Walter Runciman, M.P. (Lib., St. Ives), speaking last night, also declared that party interests and programmes must be subordinated to national interests. "The Times" gives its full support too and urges the desirability of a gentlemen's agreement to subordinate party views of fiscal issues and to give the Government a completely free hand to deal with any situation that may develop.