PARTIES ACTIVE

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXXII, Issue 22250, 26 October 1935, Page 13

PARTIES ACTIVE

BRITISH ELECTION STARTING THE CAMPAIGN lIUNDItEDS OK CANDIDATES LEADENS TO USE RADIO By Tolpgriipli—Press Association—Copyright (Kceeived October 'JS, 7.5 p.m.) British Wireless KUIIBV, Oct. 21 Now that plans for a general election on November M have been finally approved, there are signs of great political activity throughout the country, and the platform campaign will begin in earnest next M onday. Government candidates are already iu the held for 557 of the 015 seats in the House of Commons. The National candidates include 404 Conservatives, 40 National Liberals. *2O National Labour and three Nationals. Of the foregoing, 454 are members of the present House, of which 40(5 are Conservatives. Kitty-six members of Parliament who are members of the Government parties are retiring, 52 of them being Conservatives. The Labour opposition will lie represented at the elections by 560 candidates, if those already chosen are nominated. The Liberal opposition has prepared a full programme of meetings, which will begin on 'Monday, but the number of probable Liberal candidates lias not so far been revealed. Broadcast speeches will be delivered by the leading members of all the pa rties. The Labour Party has opened a 2,000,000 shilling fund to fight the election. LLOYD GEORGE'S PLANS QUESTIONS TO CANDIDATES SUPPORT HINGES ON ANSWERS (Keceived October 25, 5.5 p.m.) LONDON, Oct. 24 It is understood that Mr. Lloyd George does not intend to run his own candidates at the election, but to actively support those who answer in the affirmative the questionnaire of the Council of Action. This asks the following questions: (,1) 3)o you wholeheartedly support the policy of the Council of Action set out in its official statement "Peace and Reconstruction," and do you pledge, if returned, to insist upon that policy being implemented by whatever Government takes office? Will you, to whatever party you belong, join an inter-party group of members similarly pledged to co-oper-ate in bringing pressure to bear upon the Government to implement that pol icy ? (3) Do you pledge yourself on all occasions to support a vote for this policy, even should the Government fail or refuse to carry it out? LIBERAL MANIFESTO BRITAIN'S FUTURE POLICY " NO TIME TO HOLD ELECTION " LONDON, Oct. 24 The official Liberal election manifesto to the nation states: — " This is no time to hold a general election, which is unnecessary because all parties support the Government action at Geneva. Upon the success or failure of the League of Nations in its efforts to penalise aggression depends Britain's future policy as regards foreign affairs and armaments. This, therefore, is precisely the moment when the nation ought not to be asked to give a mandate on these matters for the next five years. " It is true that the path to security lies through the strengthening of the League and international disarmament. " It is the duty of the voters to elect a House of Commons that will examine with the utmost care the demands for increased expenditure on armaments and will insist on the strictest control of their manufacture and sale and the elimination of private profit."