BRITISH POLITICS.

Poverty Bay Herald, Volume L, Issue 16426, 9 May 1924, Page 5

BRITISH POLITICS.

THE FISCAL POLICY

LABOR AND THE TARIEE DUTIES.

(Elec. Tel. Copyright-United Press Assn.) (Australian and N.Z Cable Association.) LONDON, .May 7. In the House of Commons, Sir V. Bawa,teir asked if the Chancellor would re-consider his decision .regarding Imperial preference in, view of tho loss to the British paper industry, and the great increase in unemployment caused by the threatened lass of tho £3 per ton preference on English-miaido' newsprint delivered in Australia over foreign. Mr. W. Graham said ho wais unaware the Australian Government intended altering the arrangement, but negotiations had (been progressing for some time for the conclusion of , a trade agreement between Australia and Canada.

Mr, Asquith, speaking at Chelmsford, said the Budget was not a Labor Budget, but a Liberal and a Free Trade Budget whereon the Liberal parly intended to vote whole-heartedly. The Government had shown wisdom and courage in withstanding the demands for "these ridiculous Colonial preference proposals" and in repealing the McKenna duties. He hoped they would not yield ovcr'_ the latter, which were not imposed originally for protective purposes, hut simply because it was vital that cargo space should not be occupied in wartime by cumbrous objects of luxury. He was of opinion that it was unlikely there would ho a dissolution during the naxh twelve months.

LONDON, 'May 8. The Daily Herald declares that tlhe statement regarding the. postponement of the repeal of the McKenna duties until December 31 is unfounded.

CONSERVATIVE RALLY.

MR. CHURCHILL DENOUNCES SOCIALISM.

{Australian and N.Z CVW* Association.)

LONDON, May 8. Considerable interest wa,s evinced in Mr. Churchill's speech at Liverpool because it -was the first Conservative meeting he had addressed for twenty years. Mr. Churchill scathingly attacked tho Government. He declared that the Budget was an example from beginning to end of Sboialistic inconsistency and insincerity. He defended the McKenna duties, condemned the Government's attitude on Imperial preference, and finally declared, "My policy is for a strong active Conservative party, united under its own leaders with the Liberal wing co-operating, in order to make common cause in an endeavor to secure tlhe defeat of Socialism at the pollls. Such co-operation would involve' .adherence Bbiv the Conservative party to a broad progressive policy such as tho leaders have now definitely adopted. That is" the only road to victory."