THE LIBERAL VIEW

Evening Post, Volume CIX, Issue 26, 31 January 1930, Page 9

THE LIBERAL VIEW

LLOYD GEORGE CAUSTIC

"TRYING IT ON THE DOG"

United Press Association—By Electric Telegraph—Copyright. ♦ LONDON, 30th January. Mr. Lloyd George began his speech on Empire^ free trade by asking what wa3 the policy they were invited to fight for. Was it Lord Beaverbrook's or that of the other Conservative Party leader, Lord Bothcnneref Was it manufactured goods, of which they got none from the Dominions, or so insignificant a quantity a£ to be of no use? The real test was what advantage was going to be given the rest of the Empire in return. Not a word was said on that point. Was it a promise that if the Dominions dropped their tariffs, Britain would tax foreign food and raw materials? He was all for making the Empire an- economic unit. Were we going to ask the Dominions to push out goods that competed with theirs? We already were conceding free trade to the Dominions and-colonies. Pood and raw materials entered free. It would be Empire free trade if they gave us the same access for our commodities. Lord Beaverbrook had a new policy for every moon and sent it immediately to the "Morning Post*'—a sort of trying it on the dog. If it survived, then the "Daily Express" had to swallow it. There would have to bo great efforts before some members swallowed it. They would have to be forcibly fed. Difficulties had arisen. The Dominion's key industries had to be exempted, so what remained .was not iron, steel, machinery, or textiles, but a few unimported odds and ends. The scheme had criss-crossed until the pattern had disappeared. The worst of a schema like this, with catchwords seeking to attract both the free trader and the protectionist, was that it would result in a huge controversy, diverting people's minds from an examination of the real difficulties. The way out was the reorganisation of Britain, sticking to realities and dropping phantasies.

MOTION TALKED OUT.

It would be more correct to say that the Empire Free Trade debate was talked out than adjourned. Practically the whole Houso welcomed tho avoidance of a division. "When Mr. Snowdon finished with an insistence that a vote' in favour of the motion meant in favour of a tax on the people's food, half a dozen Conservatives jumped up. One said he "wanted to nail that lie." This caused an outburst by Labourites. Meanwhile the moment had passed when tho debate must close. A Liberal moved the closure, but the Speaker did not hear amid the din, and called on the next motion.

Mr. Baldwin quitted the House before tho debate. Lord Beaverbrook listened in the gallery.