BRITAIN'S SHEET-ANCHOR.

Auckland Star, Volume LIV, Issue 270, 12 November 1923, Page 9

BRITAIN'S SHEET-ANCHOR.

FREE TRADE WITH ALL. MR. CHTJRCHI3-LS VIEWS. (Received 2.30 p.m.) LONDON, November 11. Mr. Winston Churchill declining the invitation ol" the Glasgow Liberals to contest the Central seat, writes: "After careful consideration I have concluded that it will probably be more useful for mc to devote myself to the general election campaign than involve myself in a by-election, however significant it may be. Free trade is not only a wise system of economic policy but vital to the British people, and indispensable to the recovery of their prosperity. It is the touchstone commanding reactions in all spheres of domestic and international politics. It offers the surest and shortest road to the revival of the prosperity of British industry. From many points of view I deplore the raising of this issue. Accepting the electors' verdict a year ago 1 took no part in opposing the Ministry and should have been perfectly content to remain much longer in private life. But an aggressive attack has been levelled needlessly and wantonly at the foundations of, the people's livelihood. A monstrous fallacy is erected against us. Nearly all trades are threatened with injury aim all business subjected to unnecessary prolonged disturbance and uncertainty. Our return to prosperity must be delayed by the cruel conditions of winter. The influence of the British Empire as an agent of reconciliation on the Continent will be woefully (and temporarily) fatally impaired."—(A. and N.Z.)