BRITISH POLITICS.

Hokitika Guardian, 29 September 1928, Page 5

BRITISH POLITICS.

SPEECH BY MR. BALDWIN. (United Press Association—By Electric Telegraph—Copyright). LONDON, September 27. Mr Baldwin, addressing the Unionist Conference at Yarmouth., congratulated the party on its fighting ifettle. He referred to the long-winded, nebulous policy of Labour, which, however, was a party in the making, while the Liberals were a party in the breaking. He favoured tlie reduction of European tariff harriers. Food would not be taxed if the Unionists were returned to power and safe-guarding would not be used as a back-door through which to introduce a general tariff, until the question was submitted to the country. No industry would be debarred from stating its case for safeguarding. The Ministry would go full team ahead with slum clearance. Regarding unemployment he hoped to he able to act- at the earliest after Lord Lovat’s return from the dominions. THE RAISING OF THE TARIFF. LONDON. Sept. 27. That trie safeguarding of industry preoccupies the minds of the delegates to the Conservative Party’s conference at Yarmouth was evident the moment that the proceedings opened. There were six hundred delegates, including two hundred women. The motion paper contains thirteen references to. the safeguarding of industries. The Chairman, Colonel John Gretton, said tip's subject could be dismissed on a single motion. The Conference proceeded ,to the question of Party orgnfciisation, in view of the general election, hut tariffs cropped up again. General Sir. Pag© Croft moved the principal resolution affirming the resolutions of three previous conferences in favour of the widest possible extension safeguarding of industries consistent with Mr Baldwin’s election pledges. The motion regretted the unemployment in the large areas and stated that the earliest possible steps should he .taken to safeguard additional industries. The mover said: “The storm... .cannot be weathered by safeguarding, hut we want the pace quickened, without breaking the Premier’s pledges. He.said that safeguarding had so far- been triumphantly, vindicated. It was estimated that a hundred thousand British workers had been re-em-ployed without ~a single rise in price. Fifteen foreign industries had come inside the country to avoid paying the duties. He added: “I believe that the safeguarding of iron and steel would employ an additional hundred and thirty thousand inside" five months. We should send the Premier a message to go full steam ahead.” Mr Joseph Hall, M.P. seconded the resolution. He said: “Tlie British, as a nation, stand isolated on free trade —the impotent fools of the fiscal world.” Mr. Vyvian Roberts, on behalf of the shipbuilding town of Jarrow, said that Britain, was the only mad race in the world. It threw open its markets to every Tom, Dick and Harry. Mr Sto-rny Deans then moyed a most important amendment urging the immediate safeguarding of the iron and steel industries. Trie amendment was carried by an <|v>erwh)elming majority. Trie resolution was also carried. THE ELECTION CAMPAIGN. GREATEST OF modern TIMES LONDON, Sept. 28. Mr Baldwin, in his, speech at Yarmouth, which is regarded as the first shot in the election canilpaign, plainly indicated that either June or July next would he tlie month chosen for the greatest political battle of modern times. The Premier also disclosed that trie issueuyill he the challenge of Socialism rtf’ Consitutionaljism and Individualism. The three Parties are now feverishly engaged in preparing for tlie election. Labour declares that it is putting forward a greater number of candidates, and is raising .a fighting fund of one hundred thousand sterling. The Liberals promise five hundred candidates.

Mr Baldwin’s audience cheered him to the echo when he declared that he had never known the Conservative Party to he in better spirits and finer fighting fettle than now. It remains to be seen whether the Premier’s pronouncement.on the safeguarding of industries will satisfy the supporters who previously had demanded the immediate safeguarding of the iron and steel industry. The Conservative papers do not dwell on the point. The “Daily Chronicle” sees the signs of a Tory rebellion. It stresses that the rank and file have shown unmistakably that hey demand a policy of protection and the destruction of free trade. It adds that Mr Baldwin blandly bids them to be content to move slowly. The “Daily News” warns the Liberals that Mr Baldwin’s cautious forward movement presents the most damaging onslaught with which free trade has ever been faced,, for the enemy may he within the gates before the majority of the defenders are alive to the fact that the attack is being made.