BRITISH POLITICS

Otago Daily Times, Issue 20960, 25 February 1930, Page 9

BRITISH POLITICS

FORMATION OF NEW PARTY. \“~ COMMENT BY SUNDAY TIMES. “ A GIFT TO SOCIALISM.” (United Press Association.) (By Electric Telegraph—Copyright.) LONDON, February 23. The Sunday Times says that-Lord BeaverbrookV action looks the finest gift that an anti-Socialist could make to Socialism. The country has given repeated proofs that it will not have taxes on imported foods, nor will the dominions forego their tariffs. The United Empire Party can only take votes from parties opposed to Socialism. If Socialism triumphs, not only England, but the Empire, is endangered. It a strange day’s work for a party started ostensibly in the interests of the Empire- . CONFIDENCE IN MR BALDWIN. RESOLUTIONS POURING IN. , LONDON, February 22. Sir J, C. C. Davidson (chairman of the Conservative Party) expresses the opinion that the United Empire Party will split the anti-Socialist vote and sound the death knell of safeguarding. He adds that resolutions of, confiedence in Mr Baldwin are pouring in from all parts of the country., A CONSERVATIVE LEAFLET. THE FREE TRADE POLICY. (British Official Wireless.) .O.UGBY, February 23. (Received Feb. 24, at 5,5 p.m,) The newly-formed United Empire Political Party, which' invited subscriptions to a £IOO,OOO election fund, announces that £40,000 has already been received.

are watching developments with interest, and the Conservative •Party yesterday issued a leaflet stating that Mr Baldwin had declared his intention to work for Empire Freetrade. but responsible statesmen could not ignore the difficultiea -in the way of its immediate adoption, owing, first, to the unwillingness of the dominions to accept; second,' to the fact that the colonies main. source of revenue was Customs duties; to the existence of treaties and conventions for the regulation of colonial trade, which would Tave to be scrapped; fourth, the terms of the mandates of mandated territories would prevent their entering into the scheme.

Tie leaflet adds that the only result of the action of fjords Beaverbrook and Rothermere in forming the new. party would be to . split the. Conservative Party and help the cause, of the Liberals and the , Labourites. The former Conservative Colonial Secretary {Mr L. S. Amery), who has throughout , been a warm advocate of Imperial preference and has given some support to the crusade which preceded the formation of the United Empire Party, said in a speech last night that this step was one he was, disposed to regret because he feared it might lead to dissipation of the Conservative Party’s energy. The chairman of the Conservative Party organisation (Sir J. C. C. Davidson), speaking last ,night, said that the policy. .of w the : promoters .'of; ,'the new party seemed to be an attack' on the Conservative Party where it was strongest, which, if successful, would be instrumenta! in putting Labour back into office for the next 10 years