TORIES-DISGRACE

Grey River Argus, 22 April 1929, Page 5

TORIES-DISGRACE

WAR DEBT DEAL Snowden’s Attack (Australian & N.Z. Oable Assn.) (Recd. April 21 at 5.5 p.m.) LONDON, April 20. Mr Philip Snowden, Labour M.P., speaking at Maidstone, said: “Their Wednesday night’s stunt in the House of Commons gave little satisfaction i.g the Tories. The war debt settlements are not the least disgraceful incidents of the Government’s record. If the Government entered into a centre ct which the succeeding Government of different party would be expected to accept, then it was the first Government’s duty to consult the party which might have iu adhere to this agreement! This has never been, done! ” In connection with the debt settlements, Mr Snowden said* "No Labour Government would dream of breaking such contractual arrangements except by negotiation with the other patries concerned.”

Tory Prediction LONDON. April 19. Mr Baldwin’s predic ion in his Drury Lane speech that the Conservatives would be returned to power by the same majority as Disraeli had : n 1874, is (as the Times points out) the first official estimate of the Party’s General Election prospects. In 1874 the Commons consisted of 652 members, of whom 352 were Conservatives. 242 Liberals, and 58 Nationalists. Disraeli, therefore, had a clear over-majority of 52. Mr Baldwin (adds the Times) thus ranged himself with those Conservatives who believe the Party will not less than 330 members, out of 615 in the new Parliament, or in other words, Mr Baldwin is prepared to see his Party lose 70 or 80 seats. PROPAGANDA. LONDON, April 19. Political headquarters have suddenly realised ihe value of the gramophone records in electioneering. The effects arc more permanent than wireless or the talkies. The Labour Party first exploited the idea, though Mr MacDonald in the recording room admitted he would rather take part in a duet with Will Fyffe, the Scottish cc median, than address the microphone upon world peace. Mr Lloyd George was seized with a fit of nerves, and announced that he will never record again all his life. He would rather face a million electors in the flesh. Mr Baldwin, on hearing his rivals, submitted to the ordeal, and hurried to follow their example. Sir W. Joynson Hicks. Mr Neville Chamberlain, Sir H. Samuel, Mr Snow den, Mr Thomas, and Miss Bondfield also recorded their aspects on current politics.