THE CONSERVATIVES.

Taranaki Daily News, 23 October 1922, Page 5

THE CONSERVATIVES.

HEALING THE BREACH. FORECAST OF POLICY. ATTITUDE TO EUROPE. By Telegraph.—Press Assn.—Copyright. Received Oct. 22, 5.5 p.m. London, Oct. 21. In connection with the political crisis it is stated Mr. Austen Chamberlain and hiii associates may attend the meeting of the Conservative Party on Monday, and if they do they will not oppose Mr. Bonar Law as leader. The soreness among Mr. Chamberlain’s followers is abating. It is considered possible that if the Conservatives win the election the Ministry may be -reconstructed, and include some Chamberlainites. There is a prospect of the party breach being healed, which makes the position regarded as more hopeful than it was following the Carlton Club meeting. It is expected the new Ministry’s policy will provide less interference in Continental affairs and the friendship of France as the sheet anchor of the Continental policy; no further foreign commitments, and the cancellation of some, especially in the Middle East; the development of overseas markets, especially Imperial: association of Cabinet and the Secretariat; economy and retrenchment; ;he

possible abolition of such Ministeries as Labor, Mines., Taxation and Transport; reduction in taxation, especially income tax and the beer duty. Lord Derby, addressing Bolton Conservatives, said the Coalition had ended, though co-operation still lived. Tne Conservatives thought they had made sacrifices, and the Coalition-Liberals had also made sacrifices. The policy towards the Liberals was entirely a matter to be decided in each constituency. Where the two wings agreed to stand together the bargain must be kept, and to pursue a vendetta seemed criminal and absolutely stupid. There were cases in which it would be folly to split the vote and let in some with whom they did not agree; rather support one with whom they might have many points of agreement. If he was offered office he would accept it.