BALDWIN STILL LEADER

Taranaki Daily News, 1 November 1930, Page 7

BALDWIN STILL LEADER

CONSERVATIVES’ BALLOT

PLEDGE TO SUPPORT POLICY

DECISION OF DISSENTIENTS

“DICTATION OF THE PRESS”

By Telegraph—Press Assn. —Copyright. Rec. 9 p.m. London, Oct. 30. The ■ Conservatives held a secret ballot on Mr. Baldwin’s leadership to-day. It resulted in 464 votes in his favour and 116 against.

After, the ballot the meeting unanimously passed a vote of confidence. in Mr. Baldwin and pledged itself to support the policy and his leadership. Mi. Baldwin in a letter to Lord Salisbuiy welcomed the decision of the dissentients to abide by the result of the ballot and expressed gratitude to the party for closing its ranks in the presence of a common foe.

Before withdrawing when the ballot was to be’ taken, Mr. Baldwin asked all supporting the policy of a “free hand” to hold up their hands. Lord Beaverbrook was the sole dissentient. Mr. Baldwin retired and Lord Salisbury took the chair. Colonel Gretton moved that a chai/ge of leadership was necessary in the/national interest. He said the electors were not prepared again to vote for the old gang. The impression had been created that Mr. Baldwin had not the ability nor the power to lay down-, and carry out a policy. Lord Beaverbrook, who was greeted with cries of dissent, declared that he was not interested in the leadership question but was dissatisfied with the policy, “which could, not be operated without a tariff.”

i Lord Hailsham defended Mr. Baldwin, whose qualification was that the electors knew 116 would keep his pledges. If Mr. Baldwin were sacrificed and Lord Rothermere’s vendetta satisfied the party, would be no better off unless it chose a leader prepared to take orders from the Press. Thousands of loyal Conservatives would bitterly resent throwing their leader to the wolves at the dictation of the Press. Lord Hailsham questioned whether they would find a successor more likely to persuade the electors to grant a free hand to impose food taxes if considered advantageous. Sir H. Page Croft strongly criticised Mr. Baldwin and declared the Conservative policy could not be carried out under flabby vacillating leadership changing from day to day. The - Conservative Press congratulates Mr. Baldwin on the result and believes the pledge of all present to abide by the decision and rally round the leader shows a united front to y the enemy. The Daily Express opines Mr. Baldwin’s continuation of leadership / not only means the collapse of the party but is tantamount to handing the Government a free.gift to the Socialists. The Daily Telegraph hopes Mr. Baldwin will take heart from some of the criticisms. It instances his lack of vigour, partiality for colleagues, irreverently styled the old gang, and failure to-jgive younger men a chance. The Times says among several good reasons why Mr. Baldwin continues as leader is that there is'no one at present whom the party and the country would prefer to see in his place.