EMPIRE PARTY.

Wairarapa Age, 11 March 1930, Page 2

EMPIRE PARTY.

CLEAVAGE OF OPINION BETWEEN FOUNDERS. FUNDS TO BE RETURNED. United Press Association. —By Electris Telegraph.—Copyright. RUGBY, March 8. Statements issued last night on behalf of (Lord Eothermere and Lord Beaverbrook respectively, in regard to the future of the United Empire Party, show that a celavage of opinion has occurred between the joint founders of that party since Mr Baldwin's declaration favouring in the event of the Conservative Party returning to power a referendum on the question of food taxes. This announcement Lord Beaverbrook received with complete approval.

Lord Rothcrmerc’s statement says that the work of members of the United Empire Party, enrolled by his newspapers, will continue with four objectives, including high tariffs on all imported manufactures, with farming subsidies, ruthless economy in public expendiures, no diplomatic relations with Russia, and 1 ‘no more surrenders'’ in India. Unless the Conservative Party accepts these items, a high policy with Parliamentary candidates is implied. Lord Beaverbrook, in his statement, describes these plans as a complete departure from the new party’s original aims and declines to participate in them.

The trustees of the new party have now issued a statement that in view of the changed situation all donations to the party fund shall be returned.— (British Official Wireless.)