LABOUR IN OFFICE

Southland Times, Issue 21262, 8 December 1930, Page 5

LABOUR IN OFFICE

LIBERALS’ SUPPORT LLOYD GEORGE DEFINES ATTITUDE “NO PACT AND NO DEAL” (British Official Wireless.) Rugby, December 5. In view of recent rumours that the Liberal Party had agreed conditionally to support/ the Government, the speech by Mr Lloyd'George to Liberal candidates to-day was awaited with interest. He said there was no pact to announce, and he was there to expound their policy. He criticized the Labour Government, but said an election might mean a Conservative victory involving protection for a generation. Therefore, the Government should be defeated only on an issue vital to the nation. The Government would need Liberal goodwill and help, and urgent problems must be tackled and electoral reform carried through. Questioned later Mr Lloyd George repeated: “There is no pact and no deal.” Picturing Liberalism as saving the countrv from "the degradation of the most selfish and sordid aspect of nationalism represented by the haggling, grasping claws of tariffs with a chariot of patriotism harnessed to the green,” Mr Lloyd George announced his intention of keeping Mr MacDonald in power, after a slashing attack on the Government. The lobby correspondent of the Daily Herald, commenting on Mr Lloyd George’s speech, says it is difficult to see how Labour can remain in office another two years on such an unsubstantial basis. The likelihood is a continuance of day-by-day support from the Liberals with the possibility of a clash at any time. EMERGENCY CABINET FIFTEENTH ANNIVERSARY. LABOUR MEMBERS’ SUGGESTION. (Rec. 5.5 p.m.) London, December G. Mr A. J. Cook, Sir Oswald and Lady Mosley, Mr Oliver Baldwin and 15 other Labour members of the House of Commons have issued a manifesto urging action to avert a nation-wide crisis. They urge the vesting of wider powers in the Government, the creating of an emergency Cabinet of five Ministers without portfolios to execute Ihe policy, the creation of a now balance between agricull ure and industrial production, the organizing of markets, control of imports and the sheltering of workers from sweating. They also advocate a protective tariff, Imperial and foreign trading agreements, a reduction of taxation and the institution of a scheme for slum clearance and rehousing and using the unemployed there*