Feb. 20, Speaking at Derby to-day, the Rt. Hon. L. S, Amery, who was Secretary of State for! Dominion Affairs in the-late Conservative Government, said the regretted the decision of Lord Beaverbrook to Jaunch a new party because there was a real danger of the struggles for candidatures weakening the Conservatives in the fight against He said' that while he viewed Lord Beaverbrook's movement with much sympathy, he did not think it was a practical policy at the Present time, "If it were possible," he continued, "by any act of ours to Secure economic unity of the Em-rie, to treat the Empire as one within which no tariff barriers or protective dues should interfere with the free course of Imperial trade, there is no sacrifice I would not think well given in return for 80 great a boon to our country and in our Imperial interests. It is hopeless and idle, however, to pretend that such an ideal is realizable or near the possibility of, formation, Feb. 22.
The newly-formed United Empire political party, which some days ago invited subscriptions to a $100,000 election fund, announces that £4,000 has already been received.
Politicians are watching developments with interest, The Conservative Party yesterday, Issued a leaflet, stating that Mr. Baldwin had declared his intention to work for Empire free trade, but responsible statesmen could ' not ignore the difficulties in the way of ite immediate adoption, owing firstly to. the unwillingness of the! Dominions to accept it; second to the fact that the Colonies' main source of revenue was customs duties: thirdly, to the existence of treaties -and conventions for the regulation of colonial trade, which would have to be scrapped: and fourthly, to the terms of the mandates of mandated territories, which would prevent their entering into the scheme.
The leaflet adds that the only result of the action of Land Beaverbrook and Viscount Rothermere in forming a new party would be to! split the Conservative Party, and help the cause of the Liberals and Labourites.
The former Conservative Colonial Secretary, Col. Amery, who throughout has been a warm advocate. of Imperial preference and who has riven some support to the crusade Which preceded the formation of the United Empire Party, said in a speech last night that this stop was one he was disposed to regret, because he feared that it might lead the dissipation of the Conservative Party's energy.
'The Chairman of the Conservative Party organization, Mr. Davidson, Speaking last night, said that the policy of the promoters of the new Party seemed to be an attack on the Conservative Party' where it was strongest,, which, if" successful, would be" instrumental in putti Labour back into office for the! next ten years.
Text read from the printed page and cleaned; old type leaves the occasional error.