Eve of the Election

Sun (Auckland), Volume III, Issue 676, 30 May 1929, Page 9

Eve of the Election

LEADERS ISSUE LAST MESSAGES BRITAIN’S _FATEFUL DAY ( United P.A. — By Telegraph — Copyright) (Australian end- N.Z. Press Association) (United Service) Reed. 11 a.m. LONDON, Wednesday. Today is the last day of the election campaign, and this evening the last words will have been spoken. Tomorrow the people of Britain will go to the polls, to give their verdict, which will affect, not only Britain, but the furthermost outposts of the Empire. Mr. Lloyd George, in an election eve message, saj-s: “The nation is weary of Tory recklessness and is afraid of Socialist extravagance. The better alternative is the election of a Liberal Government, which would energetically enforce its programme for peace and the conquest of unemployment.” “Three months ago, on behalf of my colleagues, I gave a pledge to reduce unemployment to the. normal within a year. I gave plans and figures. I challenged the Prime Minister to produce a single expert to say the proposals were unworkable. He has not answered. “I ask you as a last appeal to say that this unemployment must cease.” Mr. Lloyd George, in an interview, said he did not expect the Liberals to have a majority, but. he would be satisfied if between 90 and 100 members were returned, which would enable them to hold the balance of power. He was firmly convinced of a great Liberal revival. “There are 332 industrial seats. The Socialists must win nearly all if they are to be the strongest party. I do not think the Conservatives will get more than 10 of these. The issue therefore is, how many can the Liberals win from Labour? Labour will win a few, but only a few, outside the industrial areas. “Whatever happens, T do not think the Conservatives will win more than 200 seats. I expect the Liberals will poll as many votes as the Conservatives, but I cannot say how many seats we shall win. The Socialists may poll a greater number of votes than either the* Conservatives or Liberals, but I shall be disappointed if the Liberals do not equal the Conservatives in the aggregate. Certainly I do not expect any party to have a clear majority over the other two parties.” WHIRLWIND TOUR The Prime Minister, Mr. Baldwin, set out this morning on a whirlwind • tour of Lancashire. He is expected J to make 12 speeches, winding up with a broadcast speech to the nation this evening from Manchester. Speaking at Runcorn yesterday, Mr. Baldwin pointed out what the country’s choice tomorrow means. “Britain will be carrying out a great experiment in democracy. Our franchise is now based on adult suffrage. We are the greatest democracy in the world, and must make the experiment a success. “They have made a mess of it in Russia. They have a kind of dictatorship in Italy. It may be good for Italy, but we here are going to have no dictatorship. Wc have got to govern ourselves or ‘bust.’ Therefore, whatever party you favour, I want you to do one thing—vote.” Mr. Baldwin then proceeded to say that his party would continue to work for peace at home and abioad, for matters of the health of the people, and for education. The corner had been turned, after the most fearful period of depression ever known. The unemployment figures were now falling, not because of any short-term remedy, but owing to the absorption of the unemployed in permanent,, sound employment, which was the | only remedy.” “GIVE LABOUR A CHANCE” ' The Labour leader, Mr. Ramsay MacDonald, broadcasting a speech from Newcastle-on-Tyne, said there were only two parties from which a Government could be drawn, Conservative and Labour. “Give Labour a chance. I and my colleagues wish to take up the w r ork where we had to leave it in 1924. We wish to deal with unemployment, to develop the national resources, to j establish peace here and throughout the world. I have visited the country from end to end, and have seen enough to bid me be of good clieei. Conservative headquarters maintain confidence that the Government will emerge with a working majority, but they recognise it will be necessary. to poll their full strength throughout ; the country- „ ~ The Rothermere Press, including the “Daily Mail,” “Daily Mirror” and “Evening News,” has broken its silence with the cry, “Keep the oocialists Out.” It argues that the electors should vote Conservative or liberal, whichever has the better chance of capturing and retaining the seat. The Beaverbrook Press, including the “Daily Express,” continues its own campaign for the reconditioning of the railways. It says the next Parliament should be a Parliament ot industry. The rest of the Press follows the party lead. HOOLIGANS AT WORK A manifesto signed by 115 trialists expresses approval of Mr. Lloyd George’s unemployment proposals. and urges the electors to support him. During a free fight at an open-an meeting at Islington, the Conservative candidate, Mr. Tom Howard, was pulled from a van and stunned. He was rescued by the police. A riot occurred at a Conservative meeting in Liverpool- Two stewards were sent to hospital suffering from razor wounds. ° Colonel John Ward, Conservative candidate for Stoke-on-Trent, stated that the Socialists were determined to end free speech. He had decided to cancel his meetings in consequence of the organised hooliganism.

Captain Reginald Chevne Berkeley, the New Zealander, who is standing for the North Aberdeen seat, is a wellknown dramatic author. He was born in London in 1890, and was at Bedford Modern School. He was later in Suva- His uncle was Sir Henry Berkeley, late Chief Justice of Fiji, and his father. Mr. Humphrey Berkeley, practised as a barrister in Suva. Captain Berkeley came to Auckland 1o complete his legal studies, and after studving at University College was called to the New Zealand Bar in 1912, and for a time practised in Suva. He later returned to England, and was called to the Bar at the Middle Temple. Tie served in the war. He was elected as Liberal member for Nottingham Central in 1922, and sat until 1924. His plays include “French Reave.” "The World’s End.” “Mr. Abdulla.” He wrote the ‘‘History of the Rifle Brigade in the Great War.”