SIR A. MOND

Greymouth Evening Star, 28 January 1926, Page 5

SIR A. MOND

RESIGNATION EXPLAINED.

“TO ( HELP MR. BALDWIN.”

(Australian and N.Z. Cable Association.) (By Cable—Press Assn. —Copyright.) 1 (ReCi 1 p.hii). LONDON, Jan. 27. Lord Oxford sent a letter to Sir A. Mond regretting the latter did not discuss the matter with him beforehand. Lord Oxford said that he was unaware of the reasons upon which Sir A. Mond had pre-supposed the Party’s land policy decision was based. He was sorry that after the many services rendered to Liberalism, Sir A. Mond should have shifted his allegiance to a Protectionist party.

Replying to Lord Oxford, Sir A. Mond says: “You long have been perfectly aware of acute, party differences : over land policy. If you had wished to discuss it with me, I was always at your disposal.’’ Following his father’s example, Mr. Henry Mond, Chairman of the Eastern Countries’ Liberal Federation, has joined the Conservatives. Sir Alfred Mond, interviewed by the “Daily Telegraph” said: “I am anxious to help, Mr. Baldwin in dealing with the big industrial questions' of electricity coal. We both have been ,in the industry, and can view the problems in the same 'light. I believe that the old terminology “master and man,” must be scrapped. I have been encouraged by Mr. Baldwin’s enlightened views on these matters. And there is the question of Empire. I have been a strong Imperialist all my lite. I have never voted against preference to the Dominions which is< not imposing a tax on the British taxpayer. More than once I have advocated the development of the idea of the free exchange of goods throughout the Empire, and I was legally responsible for. the Empire Settlement Act.” Newspapers give prominence to Lord Londonderry’s suggestion that the Mining Association should be dissolved, and that the employers and men again discuss wages on a district basis.

Sir A. Mond, as chairman of a large colliery enterprise, welcomes ■ Lord Londonderry’s attitude, and says that greater elasticity in the mining industry is required than is afforded under che national agreement.