MINISTERS SUPPORT MR ATTLEE’S SPRING ELECTION DECISION

Otago Daily Times, Issue 27212, 15 October 1949, Page 7

MINISTERS SUPPORT MR ATTLEE’S SPRING ELECTION DECISION

NZPA—Copyright LONDON, Oct. 13. Reuter’s political correspondent understands that the actual decision not to dissolve Parliament this year and to hold the general election in the spring,, was taken last night by the Prime Minister, Mr Attlee, the Foreign Secretary, Mr Ernest Bevin, and the Leader of the House of Commons, Mr Herbert Morrison, at a meeting at No. 10 Downing street. It is also understood that Mr Attlee had the overwhelming backing of all 1 the Ministers present for his decision that there should be no autumn election.

An influential factor in bringing Ministers to this view has been that Transport House—Labour Party headquarters which must do the work for the election —was also opposed to any immediate election, and considered that by spring the party organisation would be at its strongest. The Ministers . were also convinced that devaluation, far from causing unemployment and higher general prices by spring, would by then h.ave proved to be, on the whole a beneficial move. Reuter’s financial .correspondent says the first impact on the London Stock Exchange of the announcement of no general election' this year was to harden Government securities and gold mining shares, but to soften British industrial shares. Mr Churchill’s Appeal The Opposition Leader, Mr Churijhill, said to-night that the duty of the Goernment, if it cared for the country, was to call an immediate stop to all schemes of nationalisation 1 and to “concentrate on the, grievous task of saving us from approaching bankruptcy.” He was speaking at a reception to more than 300 Conservative trade unionists in London. “If the Government did , this great improvements in every direction may be possible,” he said. “If it merely continues to falter and show itself incapable of decision and at the same time continues its vague attacks upon the foundations of our national prosperity, it will only make things worse for all of us and tor the Government.” Prime Minister Criticised Mr Churchill attacked Mr Attlee for not ending earlier the speculation about the election date which, as Mr Attlee admitted, had caused disturbance in trade and industry. Mr Churchill said the Conservatives were quite indifferent to the date of the election so long as they were not taken by surprise. “ From the national point of view, the sooner the election the better,” he said. If the Socialists wished to redeem their record they should do their duty in the intervening months by carrying out financial reforms that were necessary, however unpopular they may be. Mr Churchill said the Conservatives supported the principle of collective bargaining between recognised and responsible trade unions and employers, and included in collective bargaining the right to strike. “We hope that the Conservative wage-earners in industry will join the .trade unions, and will take an effective part in their work, not as party men, but as good trade unionists,” he said. “I consider myself a trade unionist.”