UNITED EMPIRE PARTY

Otago Daily Times, Issue 20962, 27 February 1930, Page 11

UNITED EMPIRE PARTY

THE FREETRADE IDEAL. MR STANLEY BALDWIN’S VIEW! “AT PRESENT IMPOSSIBLE.” (British Official Wireless.) (United Press Association.) (By Electric Telegraph— Copyright.) RUGBY, February 25. (Received Feb. 26, at 5.5 p.m.) .The new political party, called the United Empire Party, which is being promoted by Lords Beaverbrook and Eothermere, announces that its appeal for £IOO,OOO to servo as a fighting fund has met with a fine response and that the objective is now in sight.' The effetet of the emergence of the new party on the older political parties is being much discussed in political circles. The appeal to the Liberals and the Socialists to join the party has apparently met with litle success and the Conservatives admit that although the new. party has not so far attracted any of its prominent men the campaign threatens to divide their supporters. ■ Mr Stanley Baldwin, in an interview in the journal Home and Empire, says: If Lord Beaverbrook establishes a new political organisation and attracts some measure of support he will have succeeded in achieving a split in the Unionist ranks; in other words, he may weaken and even disable the party.” Referring to the declared objects of the new party, Mr Baldwin says he interprets Empire. Freetrade as meaning the economic’ unity of the British Empire, enjoying freetrade within its own territories and supported by tariffs, where necessary, against the rest of the world.

Discussing the difficulties of its immediate attainment, Mr Baldwin pointed out that the dominions would not have it and had stated that it was at present impossible. The position of the Crown colonies and the mandated territories also presented obstacles. “I insist on facing facts, and facta tell me that Empire Freetrade cannot be put into practice. Nevertheless Empire "Freetrade is the ultimate aim of the Empire, which we can all keep before our eyes. The extension of imperial preference wherever our Dominions are prepared fo co-operate with us offers , a means of approaching our , ideal step by step. The new idea of imperial rationalisation bring our Empire industries together for their mutual benefit in such a way that their experience is likely •to them gradually nearer the Empire Freetrade ideal. Make no misabout it, a new party, breaking up the united ranks of Unionism, means socialism at Westminster and no Empire Freetrade. In the circumstances it can only, confuse the issue in our home politics and present the Socialists with what they will welcome as an unexpected chance of winning the next general election.