“SHAH OF SHOE LANE.”

Timaru Herald, Volume CXXV, Issue 18498, 20 February 1930, Page 9

“SHAH OF SHOE LANE.”

Lord Beaverbrook Attacked

LONDON PRESS COMMENT.

(United Press Association—By Electrlo Telegraph—Copyright.) (Received February 19, 7.30 p.m.) LONDON, February 18. Labour’s viewpoint of Lord Beaverbrook’s United Empire Party is crystalised in “The Daily Herald,” in an editorial, headed: “The Beavermere Army.” The journal says that Lord Beaverbrook summons a noble army to battle and destiny calls the Shah of Shoe Lane to a high adventure. All other leaders are but sounding brass and tinkling cymbals. Mr Macdonald is interested only in pauperising the nation. Mr Lloyd George is a mere music hall artist, dressed up as a statesman. Mr Baldwin is a dangerous half-friend, more dangerous than a foe. Lord Rothermere alone welcomes Lord Beaverbrook as the only statesman to grapple with the country’s grave situation. So Lord Beaverbrook and Lord Rothermere are against all parties, and the facts lead the new army over the top, not caring so long as they provide sensational newspaper splashes and lurid headlines. The Tories dare not touch Empire free trade; Mr Lloyd George is feverishly seeking a battle cry, and the Labour members will have nothing to do with a selfish economic federation, sheltering behind high tariff walls that are causing endless mischief in the world. Even the Dominions, upon which the case is based, reply “No” to all appeals. Lord Beaverbrook will soon find the new Party has foundered on the rock of reality. “The Times” commenting editorially on Lord Beaverbrooks’ crusade says that despite certain haste and extravagance, it has done not a little, which is useful and timely in concentrating attention on Imperial opportunities but converted into a Party programme it flaunts its pretensions with some absurdity. Its “New Live Policy,” is anything but a new remainder, not even on the threshold of life. The cause of Empire free trade must be won or lost finally in the Dominions. What is possible at this end fiscally or otherwise, is already embodied in the programme of one of the three political parties. Lord Beaverbrook’s party competing at polls with friend and foe. can only overwhelm a good cause with confusion. IMPORTANT INQUIRY PROCEEDING. EVIDENCE OF INDUSTRIAL FEDERATION. (Received February 19, 7.25 p.m.) LONDON, February 18. The first contribution of the Federation of British Industries to the Economic Preparatory Committee, consists of a lengthy report, containing a great number of recommendations. For example, the establishment of a permanent secretariat, the establishment of machinery to cope with Empire economic problems, similar to the Geneva economic conference, the rationalisation of Imperial industrial production, closer technical liason between British and Dominion industries, and that existing British preferences should be undisturbed. The Federation considers that free trade for Britain and protection for the Dominions is unthinkable. Imperial free trade may eventually be realisable, but other and more practical steps are required for the immediate future. The Federation is of opinion that the Dominions should refrain from developing economically unsound industries. It is a fatal error to suppose that the Dominions would allow British unemployed to be dumped. The report calls attention to the great absorptive powers of the Dominions, and it is all the more regrettable thafr they are increasingly drawing imports from foreign countries.

VIGOROUS CAMPAIGN OPENS. LORD ROTHERMERE’S APPEAL. (Received February 19, 11.35 p.m.) LONDON, February 19. Finding himself in complete agreement with 90 per cent, of Lord Beaverbrook’s scheme, as outlined in a manifesto, Lord Rothermere pledges himself and his newspaper? to support the United Empire Party, says “The Daily Express,” which, on the front page, prints the message. Lord Rothermere, according to “The Daily Express,” says the Party’s purpose is not only propaganda, but action. It will run candidates in the by-elections, and at next general election it will contest half the seats in the country, concentrating especially in the South of England. He expresses an opinion that the new Party will be the most powerful political force in Great Britain within a very few weeks. He believes that Lord Beaverbrook’s scheme is the only way to save both British agriculture and the country from literal ruin, and the nation from the greatest disaster ever known.

[When announcing that 200,000 men and women had enrolled themselves as Empire Free Trade crusaders within ten weeks, Lord Beaverbrook issued a manifesto declaring that recent events and political leaders’ speeches showed that none of the existing political Parties were big enough to embrace the entire Free Trade doctrine. Accordingly, himself and his colleagues were forming a new Party to be called the United Empire Party, which would seek every possible means of placing before the electorate and implanting the principles for which the Empire Crusade was launched, and which would be freed from the shackles of tactical considerations and temporising, which at present were paralysing British politics. He asked for the support of all believing in Britain’s fundamental need for an industrial policy based on Empire development, which was achievable as soon as the electors returned a Government unfettered by ancient fiscal theories, and able to freely co-operate with the Dominions.]