LORD BEAVERBROOK RETURNS TO PARTY.

Star (Christchurch), Volume XLIV, Issue 77, 31 March 1931, Page 1

LORD BEAVERBROOK RETURNS TO PARTY.

agreement with the CONSERVATIVES MADE. (United Press Assn.—By Electric Telegraph—Copyright.) LONDON, March 29. The Conservative Party headquarters has issued copies of the correspondence that has passed between Mr Neville Chamberlain, chairman of the organisation, and Lord Beaverbrook, in which Lord Beaverbrook was invited to state the terms on which he would support the policy of the part>^. ' Lord Beaverbrook wrote emphasising the point that he had consistently tirged the greatest attainable measure of Empire free trade or economic unity and asked for an assurance that the programme proposed would use the most efficient and practicable methods to encourage British manufactures and stimulate wheat and other agricultural production. Pointing out that he believes duties on foreign foodstuffs to be the most effective method. Lord Beaverbrook says that he recognises that quotas and prohibitions may be of advantage. He promises, if the party at the next election is prepared to ask for a mandate to use all these methods, to do everything possible to assist their fulfilment. Mr Neville Chamberlain, replying, says: “Mr Baldwin has authorised me to say that you have correctly stated the Conservative policy. We intend to employ all or any of the methods enumerated.” Entente Welcomed. The “Morniqg Post” welcomes the entente. It says: “Lord Beaverbrook and the Conservatives • may look for■. ward with confidence to the end of the present disastrous Government.” The “Daily Telegraph” asks if Lord Rothermere is among the friends Lord Beaverbrook consulted, and whether Lord Rothermore is ’ prepared to cooperate with the Conservatives. The “Daily Herald” characterises it as “Beaverbrook’s sensational surrender.” The ‘‘Daily Express” says that a message will go out to the dominions: “You will never come to us again, as in 1930, and be turned away empty.” The farmers of Britain, the paper says, will not be used merely as a bargaining pawn with the dominions. Every measure will be taken to protect the farmers from unfair foreign competition. The policy enunciated to-day will amount to a national cause. The “Daily Mail” does not comment on the announcement. Satisfactory Settlement. Commenting on the correspondence. Mr L. C. M. S. Amery said: “I think the settlement in every way satisfactory. I am sure we will all be very glad to welcome the powerful assistance that Lord Beaverbrook' can render our common cause. Agriculture must be effectively included in any national policy. Its protection should be a primary and direct object, and not merely contingent upon Imperial preference, though it is intimately linked up with it.”