Nelson Evening Mail MONDAY, MARCH 24, 1930 AN INTERESTING SITUATION

Nelson Evening Mail, Volume LXIV, 24 March 1930, Page 4

Nelson Evening Mail MONDAY, MARCH 24, 1930 AN INTERESTING SITUATION

THE most itnpuiUnt event which has recently taken place in British politics is the reported rapprochement of the Liberal and Labour Parities over the Conservatives' declaration in favour of the economic unity of the Empire. When Mrs I'hillip Snowden recently gave a luncheon, at No. 11 Downing Street, to Liberal and Labour leaders, it was understood that "they discussed, joint action in view of the Conservative intention lo fight the next General Election mi the protectionist issue." It is true

that "Tlio Daily Chronicle" (a Liberal organ) tried to represent the fraternization of tlio Labour and Liberal leaders, lon the occasion referred to, as a matter of no importance, since, they had consulted and worked together, in the past, us opponents of Protection, and it was natural for them to consult and work together in a similar manner and for a similar purpose, in the present. But "The Daily Express" has expressed the opinion that a Liberal-Labour pact is in operation. The details of the Conservatives' fiscnl programme have not been definitely and finally fixed. This is becauso tho Conservative leaders differ as to what their fiscal policy should exactly be. Lord Beaverbrook's programme for free-trade within the Empire has never been definitely finalised. It was continually being amended, the last decision being that the operation of inter-Empiro freetrade should begin between Great Britain and the Crown Colonics and Dependencies which are as yet controlled by the Colonial Office. Lord Rothermcre, though supporting Lord Beaverbrook in the main, positively objects to Protection being applied to Great Britain except against imported manufactures. In no case would he tax imported food. MiBaldwin, whose leadership of the Conservative Party was challenged by the new movement promoted by the two newspaper magnates, has committed himself to nothing definite, except to say that in future the Conservative Party, adopting the ideal of free-trade within the Empire, will work towards that end with a view to reviving industry and trade in Great Britain; and he emphasised his faith in "safeguarding," as one of tho surest moans of assisting British industries. At the present time, therefore, it would be difficult to say what exactly the Conservatives' fiscal policy will bo, and yet apparently the Liberal and Labour leaders have jumped to the conclusion that that policy will bo complete, out-and-out Protection, which will comprise the taxation of imported food as well as taxation of imported manufactures. Tho cry against "Protection" brought tho Labour Parly into power in 1923. It is hardly likely that Mr Baldwin will allow that cry to be made again, however much the Labour and Liberal Parties would like to make it their slogan at the next General Election.

A week or two ago, when the Labour and Liberal Parties were at loggerheads over the Coal Mining Bill, it looked ss if the General Election was not very far off. But suddenly Mr Lloyd George decided to .let the Bill be passed, and there immediately followed the gathering at 11 Downing Street, which has resulted in giving tho Government a new lease of life by postponing the General Election ti.'l such time as tho two Parties consider they are ready for it. What then of the immediate future? Will there be a further coalescing of the Labour and Liberal Parties? What is Mr Lloyd George's object in preserving the life of Mr MacDonald's Government, which exists on sufferance of the Liberals? Is there any chance of the threeparty system being abolished through the Liberals and Labourites uniting? The work of the Conservatives, in the immediate future, will undoubtedly be to formulate and enunciate their fiscal policy. It would seem that the future relationship of the Liberal and Labour Parties will depend on the nature of that policy. If that policy were to include direct and out-and-out taxation of imported food, it is probable that the result would be that for all practical purposes the Liberal and Labour Parties would be united, and the Conservatives would be defeated heavily at the polls. But in no case would the Liberals long remain united with the Labourites, because of the socialistic proclivities of the latter. The two parties are fundamentally divided on the question of Socialism. For a time they might work in coalition. But there are likely to be three political parties in Great Britain unless the Liberal and Labour leaders can discover some means of reconciling their differences over Socialism. Considering his experience in 1923, when he advocated Protection, Mr Baldwin is not likely to frame a policy similar to that which caused his defeat, in that year.