CONSERVATIVE PARTY

Evening Star, Issue 21810, 28 August 1934, Page 5

CONSERVATIVE PARTY

A PROGRAMME NEEDED INACTIVITY CRITICISED Alf hough it had been decided at the last meeting of the Central Council of the National Union of Conservative and Unionist Associations to have no further discussions on the question of Indian Reform until the Select Committee had reported, the matter camo up again at the council's summer meeting (reports the ‘ Daily Telegraph ’). Sir Henry Page Croft, M.P., pointed out that the Committee of Privileges had ruled that the Select Committee was neither a judicial nor an impartial body. He added that the Indian National Congress Party had decided to oppose the White Paper policy, and asked whether, as the resolution at the last meeting appeared to have been approved under a misapprehension, they were now at liberty to resume discussion of the subject. RULING CHEERED. Miss Regina Evans, chairman of the council, replied that it was not competent for her to allow any discussion on the White Paper policy, a ruling which was received with cheers from the meeting. It had been agreed, she observed, that there should be no further discussion on the question until the Select Committee reported. The Executive Committee of the council would then arrange to give Mr Baldwin (their lender) the opportunity to take counsel with the members on the report. In reply to a further question from Sir Henry. Miss Evans said that no decision of the council was binding upon the national conference. There was no prohibition, she explained, on area councils passing resolutions on the matter. Sir Henry Page Croft; The report of the Select Committee might bo delayed for a year, or even two. In that event is the council precluded from taking any further action The Chairman; The council is bound by the resolution passed at the last meeting, until it is rescinded or varied. Sir Henry thanked Miss Evans for her reply, and the subject dropped. On the Executive Committee’s report. Mr Ball, of Canterbury, complained of the absence of any reference to Lhe Conservative Party in the National Government propaganda literature being sent to the local organisations, and many members present supported his criticism. Lord Stonehaven, chairman of the party organisation, explained that while he sympathised with the criticism, he would point out that many supporters of the National Government were not members of the Conservative Party, and in order to retain this support it was thought advisable not to emphasise the party aspect, particularly in that literature. (Voices; “ Why not?” and cheers.) POLICY SUCCESSES. The meeting unanimously passed a resolution, moved by Major O. C. Tyron, Minister of Pensions, to the effect that tho reduction in the numbers of unemployment, and the improvement iu finance and trade in the country was due to the vigorous action of the National Government. He claimed that:—. The wheat quota had saved many farmers from bankruptcy; kept many farm labourers from unemployment; and added 463,000 acres to wheat cultivation. The tariff policy had increased tiio home production of iron by 53 per cent, and steel by 46 per cent., and the coal output in the first twentythree weeks of this year by 7,750,000 tons. Mr A. 0. Crossley, M.P., said he believed they were losing a great many members of their own party to the Socialists, because “ we have not yet put before the country a picture of what wo aim the country to be like in a few years’ time.” “Elections are not won on Government records,” he declared, “ bub on programmes, -and this country is not yet in the happy position when it does not need a sound programme.” (Cheers.) Sir Arthur Steel Maitland, supporting the resolution, remarked : “ 1 think the Government is doing many good deeds, but it is doing them by stealth. That is all right for tho individual, who may thus achieve eternal life, but for a Government it may mean that it will not get life iu this world.” (Laughter and cheers.) Two resolutions dealt with the Socialist menace, and the need for more active propaganda oh behalf of the National Government. Some of the observations made were : Mr Thomas A. Cook. M.P.: Oui greatest danger is apathy, of which wo had an example in the recent L.C.C. elections. Hori. Roger Coke (exhibiting a pictorial propaganda newspaper): _ The outside picture of bathing girls is alluring enough, but if ydu look inside you find nothing about the greatest danger threatening the country—of a Socialist policy being put into execution. “ALL IS NOT, WELL.” Viscount Wolmer: All is not well with the Conservative Party, Lord Stonehaven is playing into the enemy’s hands by suppressing the name of our party from the Government literature. Why are so many of our young men going over to the Fascists? It is because our party is losing the enthusiasm it used to have. Look how empty this conference room is. (“ Hear, hear.”) Duchess of Atholl: It is difficult for the leaders of the party to make a statement of when they are part of a combination, and without such a statement it is difficult for them to maintain the enthusiasm of their workers.

Air H. B. Chaplin Baldwin referred to a letter being sent out by Mr Arthur Henderson to Socialist organisations in connection with an appeal for £50,000 for a “ victory for Socialism campaign,” to which each local party was being asked to make monthly contributions, and suggested that'■■the Conservatives might adopt a similar method of raising money for propaganda. Mrs Tate, M.P., described by Mr O. E. Sinnnonds, M.P., as the “ Amy Johnson of Polities,” received unanimous support for her resolution asking for an extension of the Empire air mail services, and that the PostmasterGeneral should send all first-class mail matter by air at a Hat rate ns low as possible. Such a scheme, she suggested, would not only knit the Empire closer together, but would do much to ensure the safety of the country in case of war, and help its economic development in time of peace. r Sir Kingsley Wood, the PostmasterGeneral. sent a message saying it was the settled, policy of the Post Office to use air services whenever possible, and

the question of developing their xise was under departmental consideration. Oh the motion of Mr Somerset de Chair (South-west Norfolk), the meeting approved a motion that legislation for the protection of beef producers at a minimum cost to consumers should be pressed forward.