LLOYD GEORGE CRUSADE

Greymouth Evening Star, 17 December 1934, Page 7

LLOYD GEORGE CRUSADE

NATIONAL RECONSTRUCTION “GET SOMETHING DONE" [by CABLE —PRESS ASSN. —COPYRIGHT.] LONDON, December 16. The “Daily Herald” (Labour) says Mr D. Lloyd George, as a free and independent citizen tied to no party will launch a public campaign early in the New Year to convert the public to the imperative need of national reconstruction, with the slogan: “Get Something Done!” His scheme will include sweeping proposals for the replanning of Britain. It is the result of months of preparation at his country house, ■where he has held consultation with a group of economists, businessmen and financiers. Mr Lloyd George says that he will appeal to the mass of silent, non-party voters, who are ready to swing over to a policy of active resolute reconstruction. The “Daily Herald” continues: Mr Lloyd George says that national control of the Bank of England, as being the key to an economic recovery and reconstruction, will be the foremost point. in the programme. The Bank of England must be a real State bank, instead of a close corporation.” He adds: “There is something desperately wrong with the system that cannot adequately feed clothe and employ a large proportion of its workers. I am going to spend the last years of my life in trying to alter that.”

BALANCE OF POWER (Reed, Dec. 17, 9.30 a.m.). LONDON, December 16. Mr. Lloyd George, when interviewed, insisted that he does not desire the support of Liberalism, Socialism. Capitalism, Pacificism, Nazism, or any other ism. He will simply appeal to all Britain to consider on broad nonparty lines, a series of proposals before the general election. He emphasises there is nothing revolutionary in his advocacy of national control of the Bank of England, which he has always favoured. Britain is the only country where the Bank which is essentially a State bank, is not controlled by the Government. “The Observer’s”' political correspondent says: The fact that Mr. Lloyd George first disclosed his plans only to the “Daily Herald” and the “NewsChronicle” shows he hopes to dominate a Socialist-Radical combination in which he will hold the balance of power. Mr. Lloyd George expects Labour to win two hundred seats at the general elections, and believes his plan will appeal to unattached electors, who like neither Socialism nor Conservatism, and give him a compact group which will hold the balance between Government supporters and Labour.