BRITAIN’S VITAL INTERESTS.

Timaru Herald, Volume CXXV, Issue 18499, 21 February 1930, Page 9

BRITAIN’S VITAL INTERESTS.

Trade Revival Imperative.

LORD BEAVERBROOK’S CAMPAIGN*. (United Press Association—By Electric Telegraph—Copyright.) (Received, February 20, 8.25 p.m.) LONDON, February 19. Lord Beaverbrook announces that the United Empire Party now proceeds to organise local branches and raise a fighting fund of £IOO,OOO to which public subscriptions are invited a statement showing the subscriptions being published in the Press. Expenditure will be shown in the audited accounts. “This will be a new departure in British political life. Everything we do will be done in the full light of day.” Mr Amery, addressing the Derbyshire Conservatives declared that he rejoiced last summer when Lord Beaverbrook commenced preaching the ideals of Empire free trade. He regretted the decision to form a United Empire Party because he feared that the energies of the Empire crusaders mighc be diverted to the machinery of the party organisation, involving a struggle between candidates. The new movement could endanger the conservatives if the public believed they were not sufficiently earnest or did not intend forwarding the cause of Empire unity. A remarkable statement is made by the “Daily Herald’s” political correspondent, to the effect that the life of the Empire Party will be short. The opposition of a big newspaper group, representing Conservatism, will be bought off. The amount of the price will be announced by Mr Baldwin himself when he speaks on the agricultural policy as promised.” The correspondent has reason to believe that the Tory chiefs agreed that Mr Baldwin shall promise the farmers a measure of protection involving some food taxes.

CONCERN IN POLITICAL CIRCLES. (United Press Association—By Electric Telpgraph—Copyright.) (Received February 20, 5.5 p.m.) LONDON, February 19. In the House of Commons, Su* William Allen inquired if the Ministry intended to legislate for the purpose of stabilising prices by the collective purchase of imported grain and meat. Mr Macdonald said this proposal was being carefully examined by the Department concerned, but he could not make any statement at present. Sir William Allen asked could the Prime Minister announce his policy for developing the economic resources of the British Commonwealth. Mr Macdonald replied that it was difficult to deal briefly with such a matter, but the questioner could rest assured that some aspects would be considered.

Plight of Agriculture. In the House of Lords, Lord Liverpool asked the Government to establish a Committee representing ali parties, to deal with the serious plight of Agriculture. Lord Cranworth said the position was desperate, and that the unemployed figures were rising in certain agriculture districts, for the first time in living memory. The Earl of Airlie said the country had not realised the desperate straits to which agriculture had been reduced Last week one hundred ploughmen left Angus, to enlist in the army, owing to lack of work. Within a few years, farmers would be producing only cattle and rnilk. Lord De la Warr pointed out that Sir Noel Buxton (Minister of Agriculture? presiding over a conference of landowners, famers and workers, which was empowered to discuss everything but tariffs, it was impossible to set up another conference till the present one had reported.