THE PENDING ELECTION.

New Zealand Herald, Volume LX, Issue 18553, 10 November 1923, Page 11

THE PENDING ELECTION.

QUESTION 'OF-' PREFERENCE.

MR. BALDWIN'S STATEMENT.

ACCEPTED AS HALF-MEASURE

"BODY, BUT NO SOUL."

By Telegraph— Association—Copyright (Received 5.5 p.m.) A. and N.Z. - LONDON, Nov. 9. Mr.' Austen Chamberlain, speaking at a dinner at the Compatriots' Club, at the Hotel Cecil, said " The Prime Minister has resurrected the body of an old controversy, but where is the soul? You cannot right this issue on canned lobstor or currants. Where is the broad Imperial issue which shall rally all his friends and give the enthusiasm that alone can make victory certain? I accept and will defend the policy of the Government, but it is only a half-measure. I think the Prime Minister should take courage and invite from its Dominion friends definite concrete proposals regarding the developments they could undertake if we undertook to consume the produce which they can grow but cannot oat." ' *

CONSERVATIVES DIVIDED.

THREE SECTIONAL VIEWS.

LABOUR CHALLENGE LIKELY.

Australian «nd N.Z. Cable Association. (Reed. 5.5 p.m.) LONDON, Nov. 8.

The, Daily Chronicle says the Conservatives are much divided over the- tarifi issue at the general election. One section is dissatisfied •at . the omission of the wheat and meat duties, which they claim prevents real preference. Others are afraid of food taxes, but favour an emasculated programme. A third section hopes yet to see a protectionist programme, including duties on imported bacon, eggs, and dairy produce. Labour intends to challenge the Government's unemployment policy, including the tariff, as soon as the House ol Commons meets. In the meantime, Mr. Lloyd George's return to-morrow is keenly awaited. His ex-colleagues will meet him at Southampton and confer on. tho election outlook.

LIBERAL FIGHTING FUND.

APPEAL FOR £1,000,000.

Australian and N.Z. Cable Association. (Eecd. 5.5 p.m.) LONDON, Nov. 9.

The political correspondent of the Daily Herald, the Labour newspaper, says he understands that tho Liberal headquarters last week-end issued an appeal to rich men for £1,000,000 for the election fund. Several business men have already subscribed £20,000 each.

LLOYD GEORGE'S PART.

BROAD OUTLOOK DESIRED.

Australian and N.Z. Cable Association. (Eecd. 5.5 p.m.) LONDON, Nov. 8.

The Daily Express, in an editorial, expresses the hope that Mr. Lloyd George's sojourn in Canada has imbued his imagination with the Imperial ideal, and that he has realised the immense possibilities of inter-Imperial co-operation. The journal hopes that in whatever spirit ho approaches the tariff problem ho will not oppose to the narrow conception/ of protection advocated by Ministers, the even narrower free trade viewpoint represented by Mr. Asquith.