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Hokitika Guardian, 9 August 1930, Page 3

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THE OONSERYATJVE DILEAI ALA*. Air Baldwin’s remark at Bewdley that lie would never see his great historical party become a great hysterical party was well phrased. There has been more than enough of hysterics 111 the ranks oi the Conservative Party in recent months, and Air Baldwin is 'faced with the pressing need of restoring order and unity. The immediate cause of the schism in the party is, of course, the attempt of the so-called Press Lords to dictate the Conservatives’ policy. Another reason, which Mr Baldwin suggested in his last speech, is the inevitable loosening of cohesion in a complicated party machine in the first gloomy days following a defeat The morale of the Conservatives has been shaken, else they would never have lent even half an ear to the shock-tactic advances of Lord Beaverbrook with llis Empire Freetrade campaign. : Air Baldwin has not, himself, remained unflustered by the Press Lords’ crusade His undertaking that the Conservatives, if returned to office, would hold a referendum on the question of the imposition of food taxes showed tbjat lib has been hurried. The referendum is a device,alien to British constitutional needs and-ideas; its obvious merit that it should allow the people to indicate their preference on this one matter, without- causing them to vote for or against the Conservative Party on this issue alone, is counteracted by the fact that the popular will on complicated tariff schedules cAnnot be clarified bv a mass vote.

The question of policy in relation to food taxes is one for the Conservative Party to decide and not the electors If the Conservatives favour Imperial preference as the- main plank in platform they must he prepared; to-emfneiaterthe policy of fool taxes Ans an integral part of that platApnip.lif they are convinced that the country will not stand for food they must tear out the plank. But jif Mr Baldwin lias not shown dnfnself entirely unaffected by the epidemic; of hysteria, on this particular 'isSue ? d\e has proved that in the main his convictions are unshaken The arrogance; of Lord Beaverbrook in clial-lengHig-his leadership of the Conservative* Thirty received uncompromising rejoinder at the memorable meeting at Caxton. Hall in June, when Air Baldwin, to use his own phrase, “called tlj|| bluff” of the Press Lords. The Empire Crusaders-in-chief have been charged wth being out to install a dictatorship of the popular press in Greati Britain.

J ;i‘c conqu.eiicasi ve n..uue of tnei; ji.laii.y'may uo gauged lio-rii a ■ leUe*

ivuicii.,’. jjuru iiuuiLj inui c sell i rccenUj mo a .ctuisei viiu’/e mourner m wnxim aC Stldnsu Liia l lie CulllU support tile oonoerva lives umy Wnen lie’nao au ait or luxe lu.it poucy oi int party, luu. ...received “tOuipitie gUaxuilieeo" taut “lie policy would be earned out, aim --■■unless i am aiquaimeu With . urn Aiatnes- or at leas, eignt or ten oi' iin ptiiieiipariy leaner's; most prominent colleagues in las ne.A Ministry.'' Mr ■jtialchUn replied to me campaign to oust lam from tiie Lon versatile ltadeislup in a speecli tnat was boid anu emphatic. Jnis wisuom m speaking out was established convincingly when a motion CApressing the connuente oi Conservative memoers of i'arliamem and Conservative candidates in him was carried at a meeting oi about 40u with only a single dissentient. Upon ait, .anti-referendum amendment, however,' some ■ eighty of those present vpted against their leader. The conclusion to be drawn is that the Conservatives have faith in Mr Baldwin as their leader' aiid “no confidence in Lord Bcaverhrookvlas. 1 ; .an 'alternative,' but ' that on' mil Iters of ;party policy they are not of one opinion’. It is Mr Baldwin’s task to unite .the two sections/ of his followers, and he is capable of doing so-;. In the meantime it must' 'be., regretted “fiat, in a period of great moment •'... fiiicl -V difficulty tlie Consermtivep, who constitute the official Opposition in the House of Commons, should be warring among themselves instead of guarding the unity that is strength and lending all their energies to the business of watching closely every move of the Government. i- —Otago Times.