PAISLEY BY-ELECTION.

Wanganui Herald, Volume LIII, Issue 16035, 28 January 1920, Page 3

PAISLEY BY-ELECTION.

EXCITING CONTEST CERTAIN

MR ASQUITH’S CANDIDATURE

Australian and N.Z. Cable Association, LONDON, January 26.

Mr Asquith was invited to contest the Paisley seat by the local Liberal Association. It is understood a large majority favouring the Coalition candidate decided to support the Association’s choice. The Unionists thereupon selected Mr McKean, a Coalitionist, but hope to secure some Liberal support. Mr McKean said yesterday he was fighting the Coalition battle because the Liberals refused to nominate a Liberal Coalitionist, though the Unionists were quite ready to support one in order to thrash Labour, but at Lord Northcliffe’s instigation the Liberals adopted Mr Asquith, whom Coalitionists could not possibly vote for, because he had come out for the express purpose of smashing the Coalition. Therefore the Coalitionists have no alternative but to fight. Mr McKean’s reference to Lord Northcliffe is due to the fact that The Times has lately strongly advocated Mr Asquith’s return to the House of Commons, on the ground that his experience would he of great value to the country at the present time, especially in connection with finance. It is noteworthy that other portions of the Northcliffe press is giving prominence to Mr Asquith’s candidature, though showing less enthusiasm than that with which it advocated his downfall in 1916. Strictly Conservative organs like the Morning Post hope Mr Asquith will be rejected, though they believe the only alternative is Labour. On the other hand, moderate Coalition-Conservative newspapers, for example, the Daily Telegraph, -.welcome the prospect of Mr Asquith returning to Parliament on national grounds, as the Coalition weakness is lack of expert criticism.

The Liberal Daily Chronicle, which is in close touch with the Premier, desires Mr Asquith’s re-election on general grounds, but would like more information about his programme. It especially hopes he will rely on the unity of the Liberal forces, instead of perpetuating the party’s present division. Independent Liberal organs are naturally enthusiastic, but would prefer that Mr Asquith would indicate a more progressive tendency than he has hitherto shown, otherwise existing Liberal defection to Labour will continue.

Mr Asquith’s opening speech was mainly a defence of Liberalism. He said the Liberals were perfectly content with the old name and the old creed. He would fight the contest as a Liberal, and he hoped to win as a Liberal. Mr Asquith justified Liberal principles by a survey of the pre-war legislation, but did not touch on his future policy except in relation to Labour. On this point he said the ultimate aim of the Labour Party was State acquisition of the whole machinery of production. This was a form of industrial tyranny against which it was the first duty of Liberalism to protest. Even Liberal circles consider Mr Asquith must soon disclose his attitude on such vexed questions as the nationalisation of mines, capital levy, and profiteering, on which hitherto he had only spoken in general terms, and which are in the forefront of the Labour programme. v It is generally recognised that Mr Asquith has probably staked everything on this contest. Though it will be a three-cornered fight, the prevailing opinion is that unless Mr Asquith wins the result will rebound on Independent Liberalism and on Liberalism in.general. All reports anticipate that the reception at Paisley will be more enthusiastic than was expected. Present proare merely cautious. Though the Coalition is expected to be at the bottom of the poll, a vigorous campaign has been opened, promising the greatest by-election of many years. There is a great influx of Labour leaders. Mr Asquith’s election is regarded as more vital than the Spen Talley, and is certain to throw a searching light on the future position of the Coalition, Labour, and Asquithian Liberalism in Scotland. It will also have an important bearing on the future of Liberalism generally, and the leadership thereof. Eecent_ by-elections in England indicate a, 1 considerable Liberal movement from the Coalition to Mr Asquith.