NEW ROLE.

Auckland Star, Volume LXII, Issue 66, 19 March 1931, Page 7

NEW ROLE.

BRITAIN ASTOUNDED. Conservative Leader's Attack on Press Peers. "BALDWIN THE TERRIBLE." (United P.A.—Electric Telegraph—C'opyright) (Received 11 a.m.) LONDON, Ma rch IS. The "Morning Post" says that Mr. Baldwin is stronger in his leadership as the result of his attack on Lords Rothermere and Beaverbrool v. Moreover, he has retorted upon cme of his assailants with a talent for invective •which the world did not suspect in so meek a man. The "Daily Telegraph" saysi Mr. Baldwin's performance has no v jtarallel in British political history for 9. full century. His silence had on'y tencouraged his adversaries, but yesterday he paid the score in full. The "Daily Herald" comments: In one hour Mr. Baldwin returned wj.th interest seven years of personal attaicks by the Press barons. It was as "II aldwin the Terrible" that he subdued 301 JO cheering people to silence in a speeljli without precedent in our generation. The "News-Chronicle"' expresses the opinion that Mr. Baldwin's lainguage was justified as far as the attaek by Lord Rothermere, of which he complained, was concerned, but the paper questions whether such a speech will promote the decencies of public life.

The rule that a party leadier shall not take part directly in a by-<j lection was broken by Mr. Baldwin wlien lie took the platform in St. George's. Such a step is unprecedented, but on lias return to the House of Commons fnom Queen's Hall, not only the Conservatives, but Liberal and Labour members of the House congratulated him. All equally detest lie. Press vendetta oif which Mr. Baldwin is the victim. In the "course of a reply \ o Mr. Baldwin, Lord Kothermere says: ''Mr. Baldwin began the mud-slinging. Either Mr. Winston Churchill or Mr. Nieville Chamberlain is more capable than Mr. Baldwin to conduct the Conservative party's policy. Lord Beavcrbroolc and I are working, not to split the -Conservative party, but to bring it hack to real Conservatism."

NO MORATORIUM. BRITAIN'S WAR DEBTS. LONDON; March 18. The Financial Secretary 'to the Treasury, Mr. F. W. Pethick-Lavrrened, stated in'the House of Commons, tin reply to a question, that the Government certainly would not consider seeking a ten-year moratorium for Britain's, debt obligations to the United States. INDUSTRIAL SUKVEYS. DEPRESSION AT HOME. LONDON,, March IS The President of the Boa rd of Trade, Mr. W. Graham, stated in ithe House of Commons that the Government was prepared to co-operate with thie universities in making industrial survey s in the districts worst affected by the depression, beginning with South Wale s, north-east England, Lancashire and the Clydesidc. The unemployed in Britp in now total 2,691,737, an increase of 5)7,103, mainly due to temporary stoppages, in the coalmining industry.