PUBLIC FLIRTATION OF POLITICAL PORTENT

Manawatu Times, Volume XLIX, Issue 3264, 6 February 1926, Page 9

PUBLIC FLIRTATION OF POLITICAL PORTENT

Lloyd George and Snowden Hobnobbing FORMER’S LAND POLICY IS COMMON GROUND [By Electric Cable—Copyright.] [Aust and N.Z. Cable Association.] (Received Friday, 7.15 p.m.) LONDON, February 6. Political leaders are intrigued by Mr. Snowden’s reference in Ms speech to his preference for Mr. Lloyd George’s land scheme. It was noted that as he spoke, he turned and bowed to the Liberal leader, who smilingly acknowledged the salute. Later, Mr. Lloyd George went and sat next to Mr. Snowden and conversed animatedly. .. The "Morning Post” describes it as an amusing public flirtation. The “Dally Express” says the belief, rightly or wrongly, is entertained that both Lloyd George and Snowden are looking forward to the situation which will arise if the coming Liberal convention does not favour Mr. Lloyd George’s policy. The “Daily Chronicle” praises Mr. Snowden’s speech and says the help Of both parties is needed for reforms. SNOWDEN’S AMENDMENT, e PROFITS INCREASE, BUT WORKLESS ARMY GROWS. ■■ 1 \ LONDON, February 4. In the House of Commons, in moving the amendment to the Addresb-lu-Roply, Mr. Phillip Snowden, declaring that the Legislative programme was not calculated to reduce unemployment, or stimulate industry, advocated public ownership of industry. He twitted the Ministry with the election assurance that it, had a positvve remedy for unemployment, which had not decreased, though profits had increased. Private interests had to give way where communal interests were involved. Small pettifogging methods would never provide a positive remedy. All the measures la the King’s Speech would not reduce unemployed by one. Any scheme,for the organisation of an electric supply should bo under public ownership. There was no greater monument to the failure of agriculture, than the Ministry's latest white paper in which it confessed that the landlord had become a mere receiver of rents and a parasite oh the community. Mr. Snowden a'aid he regarded the Government’s land programme as a counter-blast to Mr. Lloyd George's, but he confessed that personally, he preferred ihe latter.

HOURS AND WAGES. GOVERNMENT INVITES COOPERATION. (Received Friday, 8 p.m.£ LONDON, February 6. Mr. Johnston, in referring: to the projected Labour hours conference, said he feared the Washington convention itself was destroyed by the conference excluding India, China and Japan. Ho emphasised the long hours and inferior conditions In Japan. Sir John Simon, in opposing the amendment, asked how the coal industry could And markets, under public control, which were lacking under private Ownership ? Sir A. Steel Maitland, in replying, denied that the situation had become worse. Notably, there had been an increase in wages, while as regards unemployment, the Government would welcome the co-operation of* all parties ' and was even willing to discuss the establishment of a joint committee of all parties. The debate was adjourned.