POLITICS AT HOME

Otago Daily Times, Issue 19015, 10 November 1923, Page 9

POLITICS AT HOME

TEE PREFERENCE CAMPAIGN. CONSERVATIVE RANKS DIVIDED. Press Association —By Telegraph—Copyright LONDON, November 8. The Daily Chronicle says that the Conservatives are much divided over the tariff issue at the general election. One section is dissatisfied at the omission of wheat and meat duties, which they claim prevents real preference. Others are afraid of food taxes and favour an emasculated programme. The 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 meets. In the meantime Mr Lloyd George s return to-morrow is keenly awaited. His ex-colleagues will meet him at Southampton to confer respecting the election outlook.—A. and N.Z. Cable. LIBERAL FIGHTING FUND. (Received Nov. 9, at 8 p.m.) The Daily Herald understands that the Liberal headquarters last week-end issued an appeal to rich men for £1,000,000 for election fund. Several business men have already subscribed £20,000 each. —A. and N.Z. Cable. IMPERIAL CO-OPERATION. HINT TO MR LLOYD GEORGE. LONDON, November 9. (Received Nov. 9. at 8 p.m. ) The Daily Express editorially expresses the hope that Mr Lloyd George’s sojourn in Canada has embued his imagination with the Imperial ideal, and that he has realised the immense possibilities of interimperial co-operation, and that in whatever spirit he approaches the tariff reform problem he will not oppose the too narrow conception of protection advocated by Ministers and the even narrower Freetrade viewpoint represented by Mr Asquith.—A. and N.Z. Cable. ONLY A HALF-MEASURE. MR AUSTIN CHAMBERLAIN’S VIEW. LONDON, November 9. (Received Nov. 9, at 8 p.m.) Mr Austin Chamberlain, at a dinner of 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 fight this issue on canned lobster or currants. Where is the broad Imperial issue which shall rally all friends and give the enthusiasm which alone will make victory certain? I accept and will defend the policy of the Government, but it is only a aalfmeasurc. I think the Prime should take courage, and invite from our dominion friends definite .and concrete proposals regarding the developments they could undertake if we undertook to consume the produce which they can grow but can*ot eat.’’—A. and N.Z. Cable.