PROSPERITY OR RUIN?

Poverty Bay Herald, Volume LV, Issue 17608, 26 October 1931, Page 11

PROSPERITY OR RUIN?

BRITISH ELECTION ISSUE THE MENACE OF LABOR SNOWDEN’S FINAL MESSAGE (Elec. Tel. Copyright—United Press Assn.) (Received October 26, 3 p.m.) LONDON, Oct. 26. “I do not exaggerate when I say that the real issue is between prosperity and ruin,” said Mr. Philip Snowden, in a final message to tlie electorate, pointing out that although he believed an overwhelming majority would decide to vote for tho Government he was addressing a. last appeal to those who wore undecided. He adds : “This is the gravest occasion on which you have ever had; to vote. I would not ask you to vote against the party which I have done much to build up unless I was profoundly convinced that its return would mean an irreparable disaster at this time, when all should be for State and none for party. I do not seek votes myself, but do caro for the country and the workers’ livelihood. I am convinced that if Labor is returned, trade, employment, and tho people’s savings would be in the gravest jeopardy. The Luborites who deserted their posts cannot be trusted with serious responsibilities. Moreover, tlnfir return would destroy confidence at home and abroad. They would be tied hand and foot to the Trades Union Congress, whom Mr. Henderson described as-his “bosses,” Mr. Snowden finally urges women to prove their enfranchisement by strengthening the democratic foundations, adding that if Labor is successful women would he tho worst sufferers owing to the fall in the value of money. Mr. Lloyd George, in an appeal Ip Liberals, declares that flic fate.of the country is in their hands. Upon their casting vote will depend whether Britain is to continue the honorable career as a pioneer of human progress which she has pursued for generations, or spring backward 80 years to the level of protectionist Continental countries, with low wages, taxed food, fettered industry, and a policy of international antagonism interfering with prosperity and imperilling world peace. He adds that the Conservatives’ appeals to patriotism and unfounded apprehensions deliberately obscured tlie issue, but # the open mind is open to the booby trap. I feverently appeal to Liberals not to walk into it merely because it is decorated with tho Union Jack.” After a strenuous electioneering weekend, Mr. Henderson was taken ill at Burnley to-night. A doctor diagnosed a chill and ordered him to remain in bed.

THE SOCIALIST MANIFESTO Commenting on the manifesto issued by. the Socialist Party the London. Morning Post stated: “It would ,be difficult to imagine a statement in which reckless misrepresentation was carried to more extreme lengths, and in which the appeal to passion and prejudice was more unblushing. All through the manifesto runs the thread of malignant untruth. To crown all, the authors of tiiis manifesto, whose solo purpose is to distort the issiie, and, stir up class hatred, malice, and all uncharitableness, have the effrontery to declare that they a ro ‘Vitally concerned with tho national interest.’ To prove it, they have ostentatiously dissociated themselves from a National Government, presided over by their own, till yesterday, trusted leader. They are riot only against the National ,Government; tliey are against the nation. They .arty as in the general strike, an antj-National Party. Their true purpose and temper is quite frankly revealed by Mr. A. J. Cook, who exclaimed, “Tin's means war,” and who urged his friends to organise “active resistance” to tlie policy of the National Government. It is well to know where wo are. , And where Mr. Henderson is.”

“Mr. Snowden’s reputation has been enhanced beyond reckoning by his gallant stand,” states the Providence Journal. “Tho jeers of his former political associates who,elected to remain under Mr. Henderson’s guidance were not so much a reflection of Labor’s animosity to the coalition programme as they were evidence that tlie jeerers were incapable of recognising true political greatness when it was displayed before their very eyes. Mr, Snowden in political , isolation is infinitely greater than when lie, was, tlie chosen financial apostle of British Labor. And the address carrying l)is final budget will be no mean memorial for him when the recollections of this financial .crisis are hazy in the long record of British history.” . .