LIBERALS & LABOUR

Hokitika Guardian, 10 December 1929, Page 7

LIBERALS & LABOUR

CO-OPERATION PLANS REPORTS! (United Press Association.—By Electri Telegraph.—Copyright.) LONDON, Dec. 7. It is reliably stated rapproachement is being attempted between the Labourites and the Liberals, and that i may eventuate in an informal understanding ensuring a. comparatively Ion; tenure of office for the Labour Govern ment. The purpose of the promoters is ur derstood to be to stabilise the go\ eminent of the country, which, whil excluding the Tories on the one ham and the Socialist extremists on tin other, will include the moderate La bourites and the Advanced Liberals, and also, perhaps, a few Progressive Conservatives.

This movement was originated al Mr Ramsay MacDonald’s suggestioi that in non-party matters the pro gressives might co-operate in a sori of Council of State.

The first overt movement in thi direction was in informal consulita tion between Mr MacDonald, Mr Heroert Samuel, and Sir John Simon, which, although practically limited tc wie matter of procedure, implied i certain degree of co-operation. Meanwhile the Liberal newspaper:are significantly sympathetic.

It is understood that the new move ment aims at co-operation, and noi necessarily at a coalition. The events in the House of Com mons during the past week, and notably the Liberal Party’s intervention in the Cabinet’s insurance bill dilemma, has given colour to- the report of ? ii-approaohement, of which Labour’s endorsement may be forthcoming in i fortnight. This will mean that Mr MacDonald will he able to snap his fingers at tli Maxton-Kirkwood “cave’s” revolt.

The “Liberal Magazine” asks: —Win not adopt so commonsense a thing, and call on Mr Lloyd George and Mr Bald win to establish an “All Parties” Committee for the conquest of unemployment?” >

It adds: “It is not longer reasonable to hope that the Government car. Meal with the unemployment problem without aid from the other parties, since it has been proved that Mr J. H. Thomas has no schemes which cai. immediately operate.”