THE “NEW DEAL.”

Southland Times, Issue 22485, 21 January 1935, Page 7

THE “NEW DEAL.”

MR LLOYD GEORGE IDEAS ON NATIONAL POLICY J SITUATION IN EUROPE (British Official Wireless.) Rugby, January 18. Mr Lloyd George emerged from his long retirement from active politics to deliver yesterday his opening speech In his “new deal” campaign. In this he gave an outline of his ideas on national policy, and he proposed to develop these in later speeches.

In reference to the international situation Mr Lloyd George said: “Whatever social and economic system you build up, however perfect may be its design and materials, unless it is based on peace it will be founded on quicksand and come crashing to the ground. I rejoice in the settlement of the Saar and also the Yugoslav-Hungarian dispute. They were both highly dangerous. I believe that with a strong policy, which means a cold, decisive, and firm lead by Britain, we can improve the precarious and perilous international situation. The United States, I feel confident, would co-operate with us in any action on brotherly lines, and the world cannot afford to disregai'd these two powerful communities. Fruitful action, especially in the East, involves as the first condition of success complete understanding with America. I would immediately take steps to reach a common agreement with that great country, and then act together in a combined endeavour to secure pacification of the world.” Turning to home problems of reconstruction, and after emphasizing that American remedies were not necessarily applicable to Britain, Mr Lloyd George advocated the establishment of a permanent non-political, independent body to prepare schemes for providing useful and necessary work which the Government could put into action —for example, housing,' roads, railways, canals, electricity, and particularly land settlement. He advocated a small Cabinet of Ministers exempt from departmental preoccupations, similar to the former War Cabinet. In regard to finance, he suggested that there should be two Budgets every year, one for current and another for capital expenditure. The Bank of England, he said, should be in a position where it could give independent advice, but he opposed the suggestions that the joint stock banks be nationalized as unnecessary and undesirable.

NO SHORT CUT TO PROS-

FERITY

MR CHAMBERLAIN IN REPLY.

(British Official Wireless.) Rugby, January 18. Referring to the proposals advanced by Mr Lloyd George in outlining his suggested plans to stimulate recovery, the Chancellor of the Exchequer (Mr Neville Chamberlain) at Belfast said he found them rather disappointingly lacking in novelty or precision. Nevertheless, when Mr Lloyd George had completed his exposition of them in his platform campaign the Government, which would not be above taking any ideas that promised help in solving present-day problems, would examine them with an open mind. Before embodying them in its programme, however, the Government must be satisfied that they would achieve the purpose for which they were designed. Meantime he urged the people not to be depressed by the difficulties still ahead of them. There was no short cut to prosperity, and Britain had gone forward quicker than any other nation. In a brief reference to the international situation, Mr Chamberlain said as Chancellor he was interested in economy, but it would be false economy to shirk expenditure which had now become overdue owing to the fact that Britain, in proof of her desire to maintain peace, had reduced her defences to danger point in the hope that other countries would follow her example.

CAMPAIGN CONTINUED

ADDRESS TO FARMERS.

(United Press Assn.—Telegraph Copyright.) (Rec. 11.20 p.m.) London, January 20. Mr Lloyd George, continuing his campaign at Pwllheli, addressed 2000 farmers and local residents. Speaking in Welsh he expressed his satisfaction at the response accorded his appeal. He deftly ridiculed his critics and declared that the leaders of the country should specially examine the miseries and despondencies darkening 2,500,000 homes owing to there being no work and then turn to the hundreds of millions lying idle in the banks and redress the country’s deficiencies. Answering a question regarding the Douglas Credit, he said that he favoured an investigation, but thought that any system alone would not solve the problems. He had always doubted the advisability of juggling with the currency.

MR SAMUEL’S SUPPORTERS

“WILLING TO FOLLOW.”

(Rec. 5.5 p.m.) . London, January 18. The Daily Mail’s political writer says that Mr Samuel’s supporters are especially pleased with Lloyd George’s speech, despite urging ruthless use of tariffs. Many with an eye to the election are willing to follow Lloyd George, as he still retains his famous war chest, while the Liberal funds are low.