CONSERVATIVE PLANS.

Auckland Star, Volume 55, Issue 1, 2 January 1924, Page 5

CONSERVATIVE PLANS.

READY TO CARRY ON.

A MODER _» POLICY.

THE PREFERENCE AGREEMENT.

(By Cable.—Press Association.—Copyright.)

LONDON, January 1

The political correspondent of the "Morning Post" states that the Cabinet is expected to meet on Thursday. In the meantime feeling has grown in favour of the replacement of members of the Government who lost their seats at the general election by men of the new House. It is argued that as the Conservatives are the largest party, Ministers should meet the House as a complete Government prepared to carry on the nation's affairs.

The Marquis Curzon, in a message to the Primrose League, emphasises that Conservatives are the only party which has any right to represent the country or rule the State. If Conservatives are evicted they must use all their strength to prevent policies being forced upon the country which only a small minority of the electorate approved. They must also remember that the situation is so precarious that it cannot long endure. Tho country will in the near future, again have an opportunity of giving its verdict.

The "Daily Telegraph" states editorially: "No one who has studied industrial and commercial conditions here will criticise Mr. S. M. Bruce for describing as tragic any failure to give effect to tlie conclusions of the Imperial and Economic Conferences, for we need the Dominions as much as they need us. The very fact that there is no pledge or bond to liedge in the decisions of the conferences makes the necessity for broad views more clamant. The party whose leaders share in the conclusions of the conferences is still the largest in the Commons. Are its opponents to allow party rancour to obscure their vision of what is at stake?"

The Parliamentary correspondent oi the "Daily Telegraph" is also of opinion that the Government should meet the House solidly, prepared with a programme calculated to enlist the support of moderate men. Protection will be dropped, but the proposals agreed upon witli the overseas representatives will, it is expected, be included in the programme.— (A. and N.Z. Cable.)