UNITED EMPIRE PARTY.

Press, Volume LXVI, Issue 19862, 25 February 1930, Page 11

UNITED EMPIRE PARTY.

CONSERVATIVES AND FREE TRADE. DIFFICULTIES IN THE WAY. (BRITISH OFFICIAL WIHELESS.) (Received February 24th, 5.5 p.m.) RUGBY, February 23. The newly-formed United limpid Political Party, which invited subscriptions to its £IOO.OOO election fund) announces that £40,000 has already been received. Politicians are watching the developments with interest. The Conservative Portv yesterday issued a leaflet stating that Mr Stanley Baldwin had declared his intention to work for Empire Free Trade, but responsible statesmen could not ignore the difficulties in the way of its immediate adoption owing: (1) To the unwillingness of the Dominions to accept it; (2) To the fact that the Colonies main source of revenue was Customs duties; (3) To the existence of treaties and conventions for the regulation of Colonial trade which would have to be 6crapned; (4) The terms of the mandates of the mandated territories would prevent their entering into the scheme. The leaflet adds that the only result of the action of Lords Beaverbrook and Rothermere in forming the new Party would be to split the Conservative Party and to help the cause of the Liberals and Labour. The former Conservative Colonial Secretary. Mr L. C. M. S. Amery, who throughout has been a warm' advocate of Imperial Preference, and who has given some support to the crusade which preceded the formation of the United Empire Party, said in a speech last night that this step was one which he was disposed to regret because he feared that it might lead to the dissipation of the Conservative Party's energy. The chairman of the Conservative Party organisation, Mr Davidson, speaking last night Baid that the policy of the promoters of the new Party seemed to be an attack on the Conservative Party where it was strongest, which, if successful, would be instrumental in putting Labour back into office for the next ten years

ADVERSE CRITICISM. LONDON, February 23. The "Sunday Times'' snys: "Lord Beaverbrook's aetibn looks like tho finest gift an antinSocialist could make to Socialism. The country has given repeated proofs that it will not have taxes on imported foods, nor will the Dominions forgo tariffs. "Tho United Empire Party can only take votes from the Parties opposed to Socialism. If Socialism triumphs not only England, but the Empire, is endangered. It would be a strange day's work for a Party started ostensibly in the interests of the Empire." Air J. C. C. Davidson, M.P., chairman of the Conservative Party, expresses the opinion that the _ United Empire Party will split the anti-Social-ist vote and sound the death-knell of safeguarding. He adds that resolutions of confidence in Mr Stanley Baldwin are pouring in from all parts of the country.