London, Oct. 16, The presence of the Imperial Conference in London and the fact that Parliament reassembles at the end of this month are causing some rapid moves on the political cheseboard. Following fast on the a nouncement of the Dominion Pre-miners that they would like more Imperial Preference came the announcement from Mr. Baldwin that this was what he-and the Conservative Party were just longing to give This statement was viewed with suspicion by the Empire Crus-aclers and the United Empire Partyites and now that Mr. Baldwin has elaborated his scheme they are in full ery after his blood. For the scheme does not involve any taxes on foreign food!
The Baldwin programme has ight points, rigorous economy, reduced direct taxation, drastic reform of the "dole," extension of safeguarding, emergency tariffs to stop dumping, a guaranteed price for home-grown wheat, a tax of foreign malting barley, more Imperial preference, a flour "quota" and no import boards.
The only new item in the list is the flour "quota" which is already being thought fondly of by the Socialist in connection with their scheme for Import Boards, It would mean that. the bakers would have to include in their loaves a certain proportion of British and a certain proportion of Empire-grown flour so as to provide the British and Empire farmer with something in the way of a guaranteed demand for their products. Mr. Baldwin was presum. ably moved to make this proposal in order the get round the difficulty about "food taxes," which is the only alternative. Mr. Baldwin frightened of food taxes. He suggested once before and his Party was badly beaten asa result. He not probably wrong in thinking that the same trouble would-recur in any future election... But the position will be made difficult for him by the food-taxers of his, party and the food-tax-fanatics of the various Empire movements who will not rest, until they have seen their experi ment given & fair chance, Beaverbrook Antagonism Press with shouts of deri-
In fact the whole new Baldwin programme is bitterly criticized, tie cutting down of the Social Se vices when he went to the country in 1929 with a boast that he had widely extended them?
What the ference when his Government took off the Imperial Preference on Tea? Even Lord Brentford, the Arch-Tory of Tories, has simultaneously attacked his leader on the "quota" suggestion. Even Lord Brentford seems to have been won over to the camp of the food-taxers.
The upshot of it all is difficult to foresee. So much depends on when, the general election arrives....and whether or not Mr. Baldwin con-serv His position has tinns dership of the Ca been almost untenable by the Press, attacks upon him and the poison has spread deep and wide. It seems, unpleasant that he should have to bow before such a campaign but it must be admitted that the Conservative Party would be greatly strengthened if it could have a leader who had the: general confidence of the rank and file and who could avoid the hostility of the Press Lords.
Text read from the printed page and cleaned; old type leaves the occasional error.