The Daily News WEDNESDAY, FEBRUARY 2S, 1931. IN THE MELTING POT.

Taranaki Daily News, 25 February 1931, Page 6

The Daily News WEDNESDAY, FEBRUARY 2S, 1931. IN THE MELTING POT.

The latest news concerning British politics assuredly indicates the chaotic state into which they have drifted. It is claimed that the byelections for East Islington and Fareham, by revealing the destitution of the Labour Government’s policy, the annihilation of Liberalism, and the lamentable division in the Conservative camp, caused consternation at the headquarters of all parties. The pity of all this is that at a time when the Old Country is facing an unprecedented economic crisis there is no sign of a genuine policy to meet the situation, rior of any likely leadership in any direction. There are, of course, leaders in a sense—too many of them, in fact —but not one possessing exceptional qualifications to fill the position with.credit and success, while gaining the confidence and support of the country as a whole. In consequence British politics, instead of finding solutions of the most acute problems with which the country is faced, have gravitated Into the melting pot and may at any moment boil over. To add to the complexity of the grave situation, the formation of a new party is announced, headed by Sir Oswald Mosley and supported by other erstwhile adherents of Labour. The object of this new offspring, is the socialising of Britain, but “without a dictatorship.” It may be recalled that Sir Oswald joined the Labour Party about four years before he succeeded to the title, and that he created considerable sensation by expounding his political views; also that, owing to disagreeing with the Labour Party’s unemployment policy in 1930, he resigned office, but was re-elected to the executive of the party subsequently. Now he has created another sensation by again resigning from the Labour Party, and creating the National Socialist Party, issuing a manifesto, and entering upon a campaign throughout the country with a full stock of political nostrums for curing all existing evils. That he is not lacking in self-confidence i.s apparent from the terms of his manifesto, in which he states that his “national” policy provides a 20 yeari’ plan for “orderly and

balanced development of the resources of the Empire r.s One of the greatest steps towards the conquest of economic security and wellbeing.” His plan for lifting British policy and politics out of ■the melting pot may be taken to indicate enormous faith in his own leadership, initiative and resourcefulness. Moreover, it is also apparent that his ambition is not restricted to the mere formation of a National Socialist Government of the Old Country, but is to dominate the policy of the nations comprising the British Commonwealth, hence the preparation of a 20 years’ plan for those nations to carry out. He argues that with the power of centralised buying—presumably a compulsory power—Dominions would be given advantages compelling rapid development of Empire economic unity, while maintaining relations with countries offering Britain substantial markets, and diverting purchases from countries taking little or nothing in return. Moreover, he contends that Imperial planning would provide for the steady industrialisation of parts of the Empire which are not self-governing. Sir Oswald has evidently been so engrossed in his own self-glorification that he has .failed to take into consideration the very important fact that the Dominions are absolute partners in the Empire and not mere dependencies; that they settle their own respective policies and do not regard with favour any attempt to interfere with their rights and privileges, and though at all times willing to cooperate in advancing the best interests of the Empire as a whole, they would certainly look askance at such a policy as that which Sir Oswald Mosley has now hatched in his imagination. Despite the assurance that there is not to be a dictatorship, the essence of his scheme is nothing but camouflaged Sovietism, plus a multiplication of boards for the control of imports. Added weight is given to that view by the fact that the manifesto urges the granting of export credits, making possible, on a really large scale, export of goods to Russia from the heavy industries. It is also significant that the allusion to the necessity for Britain to cancel all foreign war debts if the United States does the same has a direct reference to the Russian debt amongst others. Other proposals such as managing the world’s stock of gold by great central banks and freeing currencies from world monetary chaos strikingly illustrate the impracticableness of national Socialism as a cure for economic troubles. Probably the Labour Party will be relieved rather than aggrieved at the -secession of the Mosleyilfes, and will treat them as harmless visionaries. The need for the right kind of political leader is still as urgent as ever.