SHARP CRITICISM

Southland Times, Issue 21897, 24 December 1932, Page 5

SHARP CRITICISM

MR LLOYD GEORGE ATTACK ON PRIME MINISTER OBJECTION TO BROADCAST (United Press Assn.—Telegraph Copyright.) (Rec. 5.5 p.m.) London, December 22. In the House of Commons Mr Lloyd George attacked Mr Ramsay MacDonald on the subject of unemployment. The Prime Minister’s broadcast from Lossiemouth on Monday an appeal to the public on general lines to help those unemployed by personal service.

Mr Lloyd George began by referring to the Prime Minister’s absence from the House on Monday when unemployment was debated, and said: “If he is really ill no one would think anything about it, but. if he is well enough to travel to Lossiemouth and there broadcast speech on unemployment when the House was debating the subject, then it was an insult to the House.” After quoting from Mr MacDonald’s broadcast, Mr Lloyd George said Mr MacDonald went to Lossiemouth to file his petition in bankruptcy, for he had disclosed that there were no assets worth realizing. The labour exchanges were now fuller than ever, and the docks emptier. There were the same old slums and more ship-rotting. The Prime Minister left all this to departments with a fine gesture of charity. Major Walter Elliot, Minister of Agriculture, said the Prime Minister should not be blamed because, although not in good health, he kept an engagement to broadcast made long ago. “UNFAIR COMMENT” NEWSPAPER COMMENT. (Rec. 1.10 a.m.) London, December 23. Political writers generally regard Mr Lloyd George’s attack on the Prime Minister as unfair. The Daily Telegraph says there is no excuse for such outbursts of temper. The Daily Express reminds Mr Lloyd George that he himself was disposed to ignore the feelings of the House in the Coalition days. Nevertheless it advises Mr MacDonald to pay heed to the protest.