The Southland Times PUBLISHED EVERY MORNING. "Luceo Non Uro," TUESDAY, JANUARY 9, 1934. KING’S COUNSEL?

Southland Times, Issue 22217, 9 January 1934, Page 4

The Southland Times PUBLISHED EVERY MORNING. "Luceo Non Uro," TUESDAY, JANUARY 9, 1934. KING’S COUNSEL?

A King’s Counsel is not, as a rule, given to making utterances without due thought, but it is hard to imagine that Sir Stafford Cripps could have weighed his words when he spoke at the annual conference of the University Labour Federation. His crescendo effort when he declared that the Labour Party would—when it came into power—undoubtedly have to overcome opposition from Buckingham Palace has drawn a storm of protest not only from his enemies but from his friends. While it is both charitable and reasonable to believe that Sir Stafford was not referring to his Majesty the King when he used the words “Buckingham Palace” (in his explanation he affirms the basic assumption of the impartiality of the Crown and submits that his expression referred to Court circles and officials surrounding the Crown) his remarks were more vehement than well-chosen and more virulent than helpful to the cause he espouses. This is, of course, not the first time Sir Stafford’s defiant and aggressive attitude has brought him into prominence. An acknowledged advocate of political “direct action,” he has at the hustings during recent by-elections in Britain and on the floor of the House made many bitter and provocative remarks which have brought censure upon him. He has spoken, somewhat mysteriously, of a general strike

which would be called to prevent the nation going to war and has most roundly condemned the Government’s failure to support what he and his followers call a “collective peace system.” But formidable debater though he admittedly is, he is not taken as seriously at Westminster as he takes himself, and his latest outburst will further alienate him from both wings. The Labour Party in using him so frequently as its mouthpiece is doing itself a disservice, as the remarks of Mr J. R. Clynes imply. Sir ' Stafford speaks very confidently of the day when the Labour Party will come into power again but the record of the National Government is such that the electors of Britain when they go to the ballot box in 1935 should surely hesitate to vote for the discontinuance of the present co-operation between parties. Two years ago England faced a heavy deficit; to-day there is promise of a surplus on the Budget. The decline in export trade has been arrested, foreign markets have been recaptured and the agricultural industry has been placed on a much sounder footing. The result has been the re-absorption into employment of close on three-quarters of a million persons and a further stimulus to trade. Turn where one may, the record of the National Government is one of rehabilitation and progress towards prosperity, and the Labour Party, if its cause is to triumph at the next election, will require a more sane, more responsible and more convincing advocate than the youngest son of the first Labour Lord.