FISCAL STRUGGLE

Hawke's Bay Tribune, Volume XIII, Issue 283, 15 November 1923, Page 5

FISCAL STRUGGLE

Prospects Reviewed CONSERVATIVE SETBACK PREDICTED. SCOTLAND FOR FREE TRADE. LANCASHIRE AND YORKSHIRE HOLDING THE KEY. (By Cable.—Press Association.— Copyright.] (Received 15, 9.15 a.m.) London, Nov. I I. The “Daily Express,” in an election survey, states The general opinion is that unless the Conservative Party receives some great stimulus it is certain to lose twenty seats. It may lose 35 or even 40. when it would only be the strongest of the three parties. In any case Mr. Baldwin will no longer he able to count on the tacit assistance of the Lloyd George group. Several Tories from Lancashire will be pledged to only modified free trade. Scotland has always been for free trade. The “Glasgow Herald,” which wields great influence, has definitely adopted the free trade policy for the present contest. Many Scottish Conservative seats are most unsafe. The key to the position undoubtedly lies with Lancashire and Yorkshire. Short of a free trade tidal wave like that of 1906, which is not anticipated, the Conservatives are not expected to lose more than ten seats, but several Lancashire Conservatives, if returned, must be regarded as independents on the fiscal issue.

The Conservatives’ trouble in the south-west and home counties is stated to be lack of enthusiasm for the cause of home industrial protection on the ground that while it may benefit workers in large industries it will send prices up against small traders, pensioners and labourers. Around Birmingham, the stronghold of the full Chamberlain programme, there are likely to bo a few losses owing to the whittling down of full Imperial preference.

The “Herald,” summing up, says:— “None can venture to predict for the Conservatives an independent working majority for protection.”—(A. and N.Z.)

EXCITEMENT IN THE HOUSE.

MR. AUSTEN CHAMBERLAIN

WHOLEHEARTED SUPPORT OF THE PREMIER.

LABOUR CENSURE MOTION

London, Nov. 13. The members of the House of Commons began to arrive at dawn, and by 8 o’clock a large number of places had been claimed by putting tickets on the seats. This was indicative of an election battle. Th© warmest reception was given Mr. Austen Chamberlain, whom the Conservatives are delighted to see again in the firing line. Apart from Mr. Baldwin’s blunt and businesslike statement, the most dramatic episode of the day was Mr. Austen Chamberlain’s attack upon Mr. Asquith and hi s wholehearted justification of Mr. Baldwin’s action. Mr. Austen Chamberlain said it was ridiculous for the leader of the Opposition to denounce the Government because it was appealing to the country. The Prime Minister'had no choice after his Plymouth speech. Once that was made no • honest man could continue responsible for the government of the country. without seeking to carry out his policy. Mr. Chamberlain said it would be impossible for any Government to satisfactorily conduct the business of the country when housed under sentence of early extinction. Mr. Chamberlain’s speech particularly vexed the Labourites, who kept up a running fire of interruptions, including Mr. Pringle’s cry: “You’ll get a job all right. Mr. Chamberlain fixed Mr. Pringle with his monocle, and retorted icily: “How few words are needed to disclose the small contents of a mind.” Sir John Simon asked whether the Government really wanted the country to vote as nearly blindfolded as possible.

Mr. Jack Jones said neither free trade nor protection appealed to the Labour Party. “We want to protect the worker against both the Conservatives and the Liberals. I congratulate Mr. Baldwin on living up to his pledge. If he wins he deserves to, but w© see it the other way.” Mr. Scrymgeour described the election as a fraud perpetrated upon the nation and a trick by which the Government hoped to get out of the mess. Mr. Ramsay MacDonald and Mr. J. R. dynes tabled a motion for Thursday:—

That this House censures the neglect of the Government to deal with the pressing needs of the unemployed ; regrets its failure to devise and pursue a national policy calculated to restore the influence of the country abroad and re-establish international peace and trade; condemns the decision of the Government. to leave millions of British people in want in order to fight an election on an undisclosed scheme of tariffs and Imperial preference conceived hy sections of capitalists in their own interests, the effect of which must be to increase the cost of living and encourage th© formation of antisocial trusts and combines. THE REUNITED LIBERALS.

There is feverish energy among party officers, particularly the (Central Unionists, who propose to- contest practicably every constituency. Th© Liberals are hard at work amalgamating the two party machines and seeking candidates. Though they admit the election is somewhat pf a surprise, th© reunited Liberal party’s manifesto will take the form of a call to all Liberals for unity. The Labour party deny that they were caught napping, and say arrangements for the fray are well in hand, and they hope to contest 400 seats. AU pending by-elections have been cancelled, including Leamington. Mr. Churchill will probably be invited to contest a Manchester constituency. When Manchester Liberals made tentative overtures, Mr Churchill replied; “Lancashire is my natural battleground. If I have to fight there I would prefer to stand for Manchester.”

The United Liberal Party’s manifesto states that arrangements are now completed for all Liberals to fight the election as a united party, both in the constituencies and at headquarters. Candidates will be adopted and described as Liberals and will be supported by the whole strength of th© party without regard to past differences. Mr. Asquith and Mr. Lloyd George, at a meeting, settled th© plans for the campaigp in common, and it is already certain the Liberal candidates will go tq the poll in such numbers as to make Liberalism the practical alternative to the present Government. There will be a common output of literature and a. common list of speakers. NEWSPAPER COMMENTS. Th© “Daily Express” says: “We regard Mr. Baldwin’s limited protection as falling far short of the ideal solution of unemployment, hut while the Conservatives are offering less than they ought the Liberals offer absolutely nothing, while Labour follows the

strang© financial conception of a capital levy with no reference to Imperial affairs. We hope th© Conservatives may y®t add full Imperial preference to th© protection proposals and take a firm stand on th© essential unity. of the Empire as a trad© concern,” Th© “Daily Chronicle” says: “Mr. Baldwin is a weak and fickle man and has yielded to temptation. None can deny that great fiscal changes ought to bp made only after th© fullest discussion and a majority verdict. Mr Baldwin must be well aware that the party’s shabby manoeuvring for a snap election is a lapse from the traditional honour and decency of British public Yesterday’s best news is that the Liberal forces are reunited. Never was the country more in need of a Liberal party than now.” Th© “Morning_ "Post” says: “What Mr. Baldwin asks is no more and no less than a free hand to carry out a policy which, in his judgment, is good’ for the country. As Prime Minister he is entitled to this freedom.”

The “Daily Telegraph” ©ays: “Nothing but the strongest and most sincere conviction could have counselled an election. Mr, Baldwin is entitled to that and this should be recognised by all fair-mindefl persons.” The “Daily Herald” urges its readers to respond quickly to Mr. MacDonald’s and Mr. Henderson’s} appeal ror an election fund of a millio n sfiil-' Hngs. “Labour’s opponents have unlimited money. Labour neither expects nor wishes to match the illgotten gains of th© secret Liberal and Tory party funds, but it does want sufficient to pay for printing hire of halls, etc.’” The “Daily Chronicle” states that Lord! Cave, who was shaken by a serious illness, will retire from th/e Lord Chancellorship in favour of Lorjd Birkenhead. Sir George Younger rejoins the Unionists’ central office for the period of the election, as Mr. Jacjkson must attend his constituency.—(A. and N Z.) NARROW GOVERNMENT MAJORITIES. London, Nov. 13. In th© House of Commons, during the discussion on the Workmen’s Compensation Bill, the Government’s majority fell to 11 and 20 respectively qn Opposition amendments. It caused no excitement due to th© big exodus of members after th© more important speeches.—(Reuter).