LEADER AT FAULT

Otago Daily Times, Issue 22505, 25 February 1935, Page 9

LEADER AT FAULT

THE BRITISH GOVERNMENT MR CHURCHILL'S CRITICISM (United PreßS Association.) (By Electric • Telegraph—Copyright.) LONDON, February 22. Mr Winston Churchill, speaking at Lough ton, ascribed the unemployment muddle and other Government failures to the absence of any Prime Minister, in the sense of a commanding mind ranging over the whole field of public action. He added: "The country's Government and the Conservative Party are carrying a grievous burden in Mr Ramsay MacDonald. I shall not agree if Mr Baldwin decides that we should go to a general election under such leadership. , Mr Baldwin's remarks about split votes mean that, in order to carry out the Conservative policy, we must seek the Socialist and Liberal votes. Is be entitled as a party leader to take such a course? He should give a reassuring explanation of his menacing statement." MR LLOYD GEORGE'S VIEWS . -LONDON, February 22. (Received Feb. 24, at 5.5 p.m.) Mr Lloyd George, speaking at Manchester, declared that no single party could hope to solve the unemployment problem; He charged the Government with failure to examine not only his plan, but every scheme involving the expenditure of national development beyond the narrow limits of the Government's existing programme. This could not possibly appreciably affect the • volume. of un-employment,-which was now 2,500,000 people. The Government should constitute a body of responsible business men to take a wide survey of everything essential to re-equip Britain in industry and agriculture, and in the communication of the amenities of a life training for' the entire population. Experts would then prepare plans to carry out the necessary undertakings, possibly over 10 years, according to the condition Of trade. The Government must remove the. difficulties in connection with international trading. Britain would possibly reverse its fiscal position in the next few years, but it would only abandon Protection when it was convinced that it had utterly failed. Mr Lloyd George advocated the inexorable employment of such tolls as had already been imposed, in order to induce a bargaining process for the reestablishment of low tariffs. Britain could use her position as the world's greatest purchaser much more effectively. The Treasury policy of hoarding, instead of helping with credit, was morbid. The nation's money power must be more effectively applied to its. needs, in order to re-start the wheels of industry. " NO EARLY ELECTION (British Official Wireless.) RUGBY, February 22. (Rfeceived Feb. 24, at 5.5 p.m.) At a Conservative meeting at Chelsea Mr Baldwin paid a glowing tribute to the work that Sir Samuel Hoffre had done in connection with the India Bill, and, referring to the domestic political situation, he said the Government had still much to do. There was not-going to be an election for a long time yet, he added.