CAMPAIGN OPENED

Wanganui Chronicle, Volume 74, Issue 243, 14 October 1931, Page 7

CAMPAIGN OPENED

RAMSAY MACDONALD COUNTRY BEFORE PARTY PROBLEMS MUST BE SOLVED Dy Triegranh—Press Association—Convriaht.; Received Oct. 13, 9.30 p.m. LONDON, Oct. 13. AYr Ramsay MacDonald opened his election campaign in an address to a crowded meeting at Seaham. He said ho was standing as a Labour candidate and would bo Labour till death, though ho had had not always followed the dictates of the caucus and was not scared to fingers at political excommunication. The national crisis gave men an opportunity of serving with other parties without changing their ultimate opinions. Some socialist organisations were determined to use the crisis for party ends. That was not playing the game. It was the denial of the very essence of the National Government. The electors of those constituencies should ignore the executive ’s vote for representatives of the Government irrespective of party. The Government must have a mandate to restore the trade balance and solvo unemployment, the figures of which this week would show a considerable diminution.

CAMPAIGN ACTIVITIES STRENGTH OF THE PARTIES. [ British Official Wireless. ] RUGBY, Oct. 12. The Prime Minister, who to-day celebrates his 65th birthday, left London this morning to begin his election campaign in his constituency of Seaham. Negotiations between the parties supporting the National Government to avoid three-cornered fights have so far succeeded in many, but not in all, cases. The approximate number of candidates according to the present estimates shows; 504 Conservatives, 31 National-Liberals, 21 National-Labour, 119 Liberals, 19 of the new party who are following Sir Oswald Mosley, and 480 Labour Opposition candidates. Much interest ha* been aroused by the tribute paid to Mr Lloyd George, who is convalescing at Churt, by Mr Arthur Henderson, who afterwards stated that a “full, cordial conversation” took place. When the Prime Minister left London a large crowd assembled at the station to wish him success and to congratulate him on his 65th birthday. A large number of messages of congratulation, including a telegram from the King and Queen, were received by Mr MacDonald. Election activity is proceeding at high pressure throughout the country. In a number of London constituencies, arrangements have already been made by which the Labour Opposition will be met by only one candidate pledged to support the National Government on the basis of the Prime Min ister’s manifesto. Elsewhere efforts to effect similar arrangements between Librals and Conservatives are proceeding. Lord Grey in a speech in London this afternoon professes himself to be a warm supporter of the manifesto of the Prime Minister. He commented on the honorable decisions of the, Liberals, who stood aside in favour of National Labour and Conservative candidates Referring to the disorganised state of the world, he said that, in view of the possibility of complications arising it would be unfair to extort pledges from the Government which would fetter their power to deal with emergencies. SIR D. MACLEAN’S SEAT CONSERVATIVE OPPONENT. LONDON, Oct. 12. The North Cornwall Conservatives after hearing Sir Donald Mac Lean (Liberal member) adopted Mr Alfred Williams to oppose him. Sir D. MacLean said that he would accept a tariff as an emergency measure, but would claim to exercise his own judgment, OPPOSITION MISGUIDED COMMENT BY THE TIMES Received Oct. 13, 7.10 p.m. LONDON, Oct. 13. The Labourites expect 520 candidates, including 30 women, compared with 570 in 1929. The Conservatives arc supporting Mr Thomas against two Labourites at Derby. The Times, commenting on partisan candidates, whether fanatical frcc--1 raders or protectionists, declares that the opposition to Sir 15. Maclean is misguided. Air Lloyd George’s fulminations and conclaves are responsible for the Conservative doubts of Liberal sincerity, but the carrying of partianship to tho point of opposing the Prime Minister’s colleagues gives Air Lloyd George the assistance he did not expect in his most sanguine moments.