CONSERVATIVE DEFEAT

Sun (Auckland), Volume II, Issue 425, 6 August 1928, Page 9

CONSERVATIVE DEFEAT

A LABOUR PROPHECY MR. MACDONALD IN CANADA (United P.A.—By Telegraph — Copyright) (Australian and N.Z. Press Association) (United Service) OTTAWA, Saturday. The complete defeat of the Conservative Government in Britain was forecast by Mr. Ramsay Macdonald, Leader of the Labour Party, in an interview in Quebec. He said little had been done to relieve unemployment. Immigration was its best present way out of the trouble. Canada wanted the cream of the population, leaving to Britain the derelicts, the old, and the diseased. The situation called for the Government to put its cards on the table and find a solution. The Liberals would make no headway and Labour was under a handicap. The Conservatives had organised for a strong campaign and the newspapers were behind them. Mr. Macdonald said the agreement reached between the railway companies in Britain and their employees did not amount to a reduction in wages, because the employees had accepted their former wages and would have permanent instead of irregular work. BALDWIN’S POLICY SAFEGUARDING INDUSTRY NO TAXES ON FOOD (Australian and N.Z „ Press Association) (United Service) LONDON, Saturday. An important statement of policy is contained in a letter written by the Prime Minister, Mr. Baldwin, to Mr. B. M. Eyres-Mon-sell, Chief Cor# ervative Whip. In this Mr. Baldwin says the safeguarding of industries has been the law of the land since it was established as a principle by Mr. Lloyd George’s Government in 1921. It was the policy of the Conservatives at the last general election and would be continued, but they would still be pledged not to introduce protection, and not to impose any taxes on food. Careful examination of the administration of the Safeguarding Act based on four years’ experience might make possible some simplification of certain details of procedure. No manufacturing industry would be barred from presenting its case before an appointed tribunal. The whole energy of the party would be necessary to carry through the derating scheme, the boldness and originality of which had captured the imagination of the country.

No doubt the reason why the Opposition parties were trying to drag in the protectionist “red herring” was tlieir vain hope of causing dissension in the Conservative Part| , the unity and enthusiasm of which had aroused their envious admiration.