BRITISH CONSERVATIVES.

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXVI, Issue 20420, 23 November 1929, Page 13

BRITISH CONSERVATIVES.

FAILURE AT ELECTION.

FEELING WITHIN THE PARTY.

CONFERENCE DEBATES CAUSES. By Telegraph—Press Association—Copyright. (Received November 22, 5.5 p.m.) LONDON Nov. 21. An attempt to hold a " post mortem " inquiry into the cause of the failure of the Conservatives at the last general election was badly beaten at the annual conference of the Conservative Unionist Association. Lieutenant-Colonel W. Grant Morden moved that an independent committee examine the working of the central office of the organisation and devise a scheme of closer co-operation. He expressed the opinion that the present methods were out of date. The leader of the party, said the speaker, had more power than a Tammany " boss," and the resolutions passed by the conference were consistently disregarded, notably those upon the reform of the House of Lords and the safeguarding of industry. The Conservatives had faced the election without a policy, therefore without a soul. Mr. J. R. Remer seconded the motion. He mentioned the party's additional handicap, namely, the absence of support from the press owing to the party leaders having deliberately embittered the newspapers. Sir William Ray deprecated the exhibition of feeling among members of the party. If the Archangel Gabriel were their leader he would be criticised, but he would blow his trumpet the more loudly than Mr. Stanley Baldwin had blown his. Mr. Herbert G. Williams moved an amendment appreciating the executive's appointment of a sub-committee to investigate the party's troubles. This was carried by a large majority.. The mover said the only way to run the party was to elect a leader and back or " sack " him. A- long debate ensued on a motion by Sir Pago Croft that Imperial preference and safeguarding should be placed in the forefront of the party's programme with the object of educating the electorate on those subjects with a view to success at the next election; also that the party oppose the repeal of the McKenna duties. Mr. Boyce, M.P., formerly of Australia, said that if the Dominions became weary of British vacillation and withdrew preferences, unemployment in Britain would be trebled overnight. There was a scene of indignation and excitement when Captain Pierrepont opposed the motion, saying it would be more true to talk of " bamboozling " the electorate instead of educating it. Sir Philip Cunliffe-Lister said unemployment would be the test at the next election. The only cure was better trade. v Mr. James Gardner, a trades unionist for 40 years, said if the Conservatives did not produce a bold policy of Imperial preference Ihey must not be surprised if the Socialists did so. The motion -was agreed to with only three dissentients. Mr. Neville Chamberlain was elected president of the conference.