EARLY SHOTS IN BRITISH ELECTION FIGHT

Gisborne Herald, Volume LXXVII, Issue 23154, 17 January 1950, Page 5

EARLY SHOTS IN BRITISH ELECTION FIGHT

(N.Z.P A.—Reuter—Copyright.)

(10 a.m.) LONDON, Jan. 16. The Daily Telegraph’s political correspondent says that the first important engagements of the British general election campaign will take place this week.

Mr, Herbert Morrison has the initiative with a speech in his electorate, Lewisham, today.

The Labour Party election manifesto : s expected in twf> or three days and Mr. Morrison’s speech is expected to rive a clear indication of the lines on which the Socialists intend to fight. Mr. . Winston Churchill will broadcast on January 21 and the Conservative Dolic\ statement is to apnea,r early in the following week. The Conservatives believe that Mr. Morrison’s line will be to olav down the intention to proceed with more socialism and put heavy stress on full employment with the innuendo that a return of a Conservative Government would mean a return of unemployment.

Mr. Churchill’s broadcast, though not an official election broadcast, will open the battle on the air. He may be expected to make it clear that the Conservatives do not intend to go back on anything said in their booklet “The Right Road For Britain.”

Speaking in Colombo the Foreign Secretary, Mr. Ernest Bevin. said: “I think Labour will be returned with a decent majority and we will get on with the job.” He made the remark at a press conference when asked to comment on the elections. Mr. Bevin will leave Colombo in H.M.S. Birmingham tomorrow evening.