STRONG ATTACK ON NEWSPAPERS.

Timaru Herald, Volume CXXXIV, Issue 18830, 19 March 1931, Page 9

STRONG ATTACK ON NEWSPAPERS.

“ Engines of Propaganda.” MR BALDWIN’S CRITICISM. United Press Association—By Hectrie Telegraph—Copyright LONDON, March 17. Shouts of “Baldwin for ever” greeted the ex-Prime Minister when he stepped on to the platform at the Queen’s Hall to address the electors In the St. George’s election campaign. In a fighting speech, he scathingly criticised Lord Rothermere’s and Lord Beaverbrook’s newspapers as engines of propaganda for their constantly changing policies, desires, personal wishes, likes and dislikes, by direct falsehood, misrepresentation and half truths. Mr Baldwin referred to the “Daily Mail” comment that the expression “insolent plutocracy” came ill from Mr Baldwin, as his father left him an immense fortune which, according to his own speeches, had almost disappeared. It was difficult to see how a Party leader who lost his own fortune can hope to restore that of others or of the country.

Mr Baldwin described the first part of this statement as a lie, and the second by implication as untrue. The whole could only have been written by a cad. He added counsel advised that a libel action could be brought. “But an apology would be valueless, while I would not touch damages with a barge pole.” Mr Baldwin declared that these papers were aiming at power without responsibility, which was the harlot’s prerogative throughout the ages. When the “Daily Mail” was preaching a United Empire, and the “Express” was running Empire Free-trade, both were simultaneously seeking advertisements from America.

Instancing Lord Rothermere’s reference to the Zinovieff letter, Mr Baldwin read a letter from Mr Marlowe, editor of the “Daily Mail,” recalling that Lord Rotheremere was not aware of the Zinovieff letter before publication by the “Mail.” He then supported the Conservatives, only with the most reluctant consent of Lord Rothermere, who believed the Socialists were winning all along the line throughout the world. Mr Marlowe added that Lord Rothermere only asserted himself in 1926, after a speech in which Lord Beaverbrook alleged Lord Rothermere obtained a peerage for services to the Liberals. Mr Baldwin did not doubt but Mr Duff Cooper would be returned, but he hoped the majority would be a lesson to the whole world.

Turning to the question of policy, Mr Baldwin emphasised the need for a wheat quota, which would enable assistance to be given to the Dominions. It would also prevent dumping and a rise in pa-ice, whereas protection means a tax of 27/- per quarter, the equivalent of 2id per loaf, which the industrial regions would never accept.

LORD ROTHERMERE IN REPLY. “MR BALDWIN BEGAN MUDSLINGING.” Unlt#d Press Association—By Elsctrls Telegraph —Copyright (Received March 18, 5.5 p.m.) LONDON, March 18. Lord Rothermere, replying to Mr Baldwin, says that the latter began the mud-slinging. Either the Rt. Hon. Winston Churchill or the Rt. Hon. Neville Chamberlain were more capable than Mr Baldwin to conduct the Conservative policy. “Lord Beaverbrook and I are working not to split the Conservative Party, but to bring it back to real Conservatism.” Mr Baldwin unprecedently broke the rule that a Party leader may not participate directly in a by-election, but on his return to the House of Commons from Queen’s Hall, not only the Conservatives but the Liberals and Labourites congratulated him. All equally detest the Press vendetta, of which Mr Baldwin is the victim.