HONEST POLITICS IN BRITAIN

Press, Volume LXXI, Issue 21384, 29 January 1935, Page 11

HONEST POLITICS IN BRITAIN

MORAL DRAWN FROM SLANDER SUIT ALL PARTIES IN AGREEMENT IBEITISH OFFtCLA-L WIRELESS ) (Received January 23, 5.5 p.m.) RUGBY, January 26. Sir John Simon's successful action for slander against a speaker who had alleged that he had a pecuniary interest in munitions, which affected the Government's policy, is welcomed irrespective of party as a vindication of British political morality. The "Daily Herald" (Labour) says: "Sir John Simon's vindication in court of his personal integrity will give genuine satisfaction to everyone who has any care for morality in public life. The charge made was the most terrible that could be brought against him of being influenced in his politics by any pecuniary motive. But the accusation was made and it was essential to rebut it. We who have on occasion criticised his policies unsparingly are glad that his honour, which should never have been impugned, has been publicly vindicated." The "Daily Telegraph" (Conseivative) says: "British public life is mercifully free from corruption of the kind so wilfully suggested by the defendant in this case, but statements have been made both in Great Britain and abroad in the last few years to the effect that | members of the British Cabinet have large holdings in armaments firms and are moulding British policy to their own ends. "Unfortunately it is less easy to take action when such statements are made outside this country, but those who have been sincerelv misled should note that the Foreign Secretary deliberately sold investments made out of office at a loss rather than incur the suggestion that he was benefiting even in a minor degree by the sale of explosives."