WITH THE GLOVES OFF

Sun (Auckland), Volume III, Issue 893, 10 February 1930, Page 9

WITH THE GLOVES OFF

POLITICAL LEADERS' PLAIN SPEAKING

ROTHERMERE AND BALDWIN LONDON, Saturday. The “Daily News” discloses the fact bat -t- Mr - Baldwin’s speech at the Coliseum Theatre, on Wednesdav he took the opportunity to make a slashing retort to the anti-Baldwin campaign which Lord Rothermere is conducting in the “Dailv Mail.” The ex-Prime Minister said he did not desire the "Daily Mail’s” support nor would lie give up the leadership of the Conservatives. Newspaper attacks were personal and unfair. As for Lord Rothermere’s reputation for efficiency, it was the late Viscount Northclifte who had made the “Daily Mail.” Lord Rothermere had muddled his job as Air Blinister in 1917-18, and he resigned because an attack on his administration was pending. Probably he would not have secured the post except for Lord North cliffe'3 influence.

In an interview with a representative of the “Daily News” Lord Rothermere said he had just returned from America and had no knowledge of what Mr. Baldwin had said. He was not concerned with twhat he had said. Mr. Baldwin was a completely incompetent person, who by an accident of post-war politics, had “fluked his way into high office.”