THE PAISLEY SEAT.

Taihape Daily Times, Volume XI, Issue 3396, 29 January 1920, Page 6

THE PAISLEY SEAT.

EXCITEMENT OVER PARTY POLITICS. ' LONDON, Jan. 26. Mr Asquith was invited to contest the Paisley seat hy the local Liberal Association. It iisi understood a large majority favouring the Coalition candidate decided to support the Association’s choice. The Unionists thereupon selected Mr McKean, a Coalitionist, but hope to secure some Liberal support. Mr McKean said yesterday he was fighting the Coalition battle because the" Liberals refused! to nominate a Liberal Coalitionist, j though the Unionists were quite will- i ing to support one in order to thrash 1 Labour, but at Lord Northcliffe’s in- I stigation the Liberals adopted Mr As- | quitb, whom Coalitionists could not j possibly vote for, because he had I come out for the express purpose of smashing bbe Coalition. Therefore the Coalitionists have no alternative but to figbt. Mr McKean’s) reference to Lord Northcliffe is due to the fact that The Times has lately strongly advocated Mr Asquith’s return to the House of Commons, on the ground that his experience would be of great value to the country at the 'present time, es L pecially in connection with linance. It is noteworthy that other portions of the Northcliffe press is giving proKiinence to Mr Asquith’s candidature, though showing less enthusiasm than that with which, it advocated his downfall in 1916. Strictly Conservative organs like the Morning Post hope Mr Asquith will Oe rejected, though they believe the only alternative is Labour. On the other hand, moderate Coalition - Conservative newspapers, for example. the Daily Telegraph,’’welcome the prospect of Mr Asquith returning to Parliament on national grounds, as the Coalition weakness is lack of expert criticism.

The Liberal Daily Chronicle, which is in close touch with the Frontier, desires Mr Asquith’s re-election on general grounds, but would like more information about hisu programme. It especially hopes he will rely on the

unity of the Liberal forces, instead of perpetuating the party’s present division.

Independent Liberal organs are naturally enthusiastic, but would prefer that Mr Asquith would indicate a more progressive tendency than he has hitherto shown, otherwise existing Lieral defection to Labour will continue

Mr Asquith’s opening speech was mainly a defence of Liberalism. He said the Liberals were perfectly content with the old name and the old creed. He would fight the contest as a Liberal, and he hoped to win as a Liberal. Mr Asquith justified liberal principles by a survey of the pre-war legislation, but did not touch on his future policy, except in relation to Labour. On this point he said the ultimate aim of the Labour Party was State acquisition of the whole machinery of production. This was a form of industrial tyranny againjst which it was the first duty of Liberalism to protest. . I

Even Liberal, circles consider Mr Asquith, must soon disclose Iris attitude on such vexed questions as the nationalisation of mines, capital levy, and profiteering, on which hitherto he had only spoken in general terms, and which are in the forefront of the Labour programme. It is? generally recognised that Mr Asquith has probably staked everything on this contest’.

j Though it will be a three-cornered fight, the prevailing opinion is that unless! Mr Asquith wins the result will rebound on Independent Liberalism and on Liberalism in general. All reports anticipate that the reception at Paisley will be more enthusiastic than was expected. Present prophecies are merely cautious. Though the Coalition is. expected to be at the bottom of the poll, a vigorous campaign has opened, promising the kreatest bye-election of many years. There is a great influx of Labour leaders Mr Asquith’s election is regarded as more vital than the Spen Valley, and is certain to throw a searching light on the future position of the Coalition, Labour and Asquithian Liberalism in Scotland. It will also have an important hearing on the future of Liberalism generally, and the leadership thereof. Recent byeelections in England indicate a considerable Liberal movement from the Coalition to Mr Asquith.