EMPIRE CRUSADER WINS

Wanganui Chronicle, Volume 73, Issue 413, 3 November 1930, Page 7

EMPIRE CRUSADER WINS

PADDINGTON BY-ELECTION

SIGNTFANCE OF THE VOTING [By Telegraph—Press Association —Copyright] LONDON, Oct. 31. The by-election for Paddington re suited:— Vice-Admiral Taylor (Empire Crusader) 11,209 Sir Henry Lidiard (Con.) .. .. 10,268 Miss Evans (Labour) 7,944 Mrs Stewart Richardson .... 494 The last-named forfeits her deposit. Vice-Admiral E. A. Taylor, who chain pioned Lord Beaverbrook’s campaign, was commander of the Renown during the Prince of Wales’ trips to Canada, Australia and New Zealand in 1919-20. The Beaverbrook Press claims the decision is a great triumph for Empire trade.

The Evening Standard deduces that the total Conservative poll, showing a majority of 14,027 over Labour, shows that the Government’s policy at the Imperial Conference is not making firmer its feeble hold on the electors’ confidence. The newspaper editorially states that the official Conservative candidate stood for a vague policy of postponement, promising only the quota, while Vice Admiral Taylor stodd for a full and definite plan of Empire free trade, including a response to the Dominions’ offer and fiscal justice for British agriculture, both based on duties on foreign foodstuffs. The Conservative Party still has power to give the whole country a similar chance of supporting a definite and straightforward, instead of a vague and waving, policy of Empire trade. NOT SO HARMFUL. THE CONSERVATIVE ATTITUDE Received Nov. 2, 8.35 p.m. LONDON, Nov. 1. Only 574 per cent of the electorate of South Paddington polled. The Conservative press adopt the view that the Empire . Crusaders’ tactics have done less harm than they would have done elsewhere, as ViceAdmiral Taylor is a good Conservative and doubtless soon will settle down among the rank and file. South Paddington is always reckoned a safe seat.

At several recent by-elections Empire Free Trade has been an issue. In the North Norfolk contest, necessitated by the elevation of Mr Noel Buxton to the Peerage, Lord Beaverbrook strongly advocated the Empire Free Trade policy on behalf of the Conservative candidate, Mr i. vook, who ran the successful candidate, Lauy Noel Buxton, to a majority of 200, as opposed to a 2000 majority for Mr Noel Buxton at the general election.

At Bromley oy-election in September Mr Redwood, the United Empire candidate, polled 9483 votes as against the official Conservative’s 12,782 and the Liberal's 11,176.

The Daily Express said, in comment on the result; “The clear deduction to be drawn .... is that the only issue possessing political vitality and appeal is the policy of Empire Free Trade,” In the South Paddington election, for a seat previously held by the Right Hon. H. D. King, Conservative, unopposed, there was ? split in the ranks of unofficial Conservatism. Sir Herbert Liddiard, who was disowned by the Conservative Party because of his advacacy of food taxes, recanted and was received back into the fold. Vice-Ad-miral Taylor, the now successful candidate, was then adopted by the Empire Crusaders. Lord Beaverbrook passed severe comment on Sir Herbert Liddiard. MUNICIPAL ELECTIONS. BIG CONSERVATIVE GAINS. Received Nov. 3, 1.5 a.m. LONDON, Nov. 2. Polling in the municipal elections in 300 cities and boroughs in England and Wales occurred to-day. The latest results from 83 Councils show 77 Conservative gains and nine losses, nine Liberal gains and six losses, 26 Labour gains and losses, and 19 Independent gains and 20 losses.