SPEECHES TO ELECTORS.

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXVI, Issue 20263, 24 May 1929, Page 11

SPEECHES TO ELECTORS.

WARNING BY BALDWIN. DETRACTORS OF BRITAIN. BAD EFFECT ABROAD. REPUTATION AND TRADE. RECOVERY FROM THE WAR. Australian and N.Z. Press Association. (Received May 23, 7.55 p.m.) LONDON. Mny 23 The Prime Minister, iSIr. Baldwin, sounded a note of warning in a speech at Bradford agninst the effect abroad of the speeches of certain candidates. He said the latter seemed to take a delight in blackening the character and reputation of their own country. Foreigners who read some ot the speeches referred to would come to the conclusion that Britain, was down and and, and that the majority of her people were out of work. "It is said that we signed the Kellogg pact with our tongue in our cheek," said Mr. Baldwin, "that we learned nothing from the Great War and that we are piling up our armaments. It would be supposed that there was nothing standing between Europe and perpetual peace except Britain. "Thero never was such a complete caricature. Only demagogues who place the winning of tho election before either truth or peace would paint such a picture. This talk may seem childish to us, but it does nothing but harm to our reputation and our trade abroad. "I have never been so rash as to say all is well in Britain, but I have stated —and I state again—the whole truth, namely, that the country has shown a marvellous and widespread recovery from tho troubles of the war. "We are definitely recovering our position in the trade of the world, and wo are doing it without having to repudiate our debts or to inflate our currency. Ninety per cent, of our people are living at a higher standard to-day than ever they did before "We have reduced our fighting forces and have disarmed more than any other country in the world. "I am convinced that, with close cooperation between employers and men, both using their brains in reorganisation, prosperity is dawning in Britain and will continue." SAFEGUARDING ISSUE. PRIME MINISTER'S CLAIM. SNOWDEN'S OPPOSITE VIEWS. Australian and N.Z. Press Association. (Received May 23, 10.55 p.m.) LONDON. May 23. The safeguarding of industries lias become a prominent election issue, at any rate in the industrial centres. Mr. Baldwin announced his triple prescription for British trade as: (1) Rationalisation; (2) safeguarding; (3) active development of Empire trade. He claims that there are 80,000 people at present in employment who, but for safeguarding a'nd the McKenna duties, would be idle. All the safeguarded trades have progressed, says the Prime Minister. They all employ more workmen and prices on the homo market are cheaper.

Mr. Philip Snowden (Labour), on the other hand, challenges anybody to point to any safeguarded industry and show that safeguarding has had any beneficial effect. He declares ho will go further and prove that it lias had an injurious effect on practically all of them.