Nov. 20.
The new Session of Parliament, opened to-day by the King with the familiar and always impressive ceremonial, begins an important chapter in English political history. During the Session it is probable that there will be a definite read-Justment of views on both sides of the House. The approach of the next General Election in the normal course of things will be greatly in Members' thoughts by the time the summer recess is reached. Recent election successes have heartened the ranks of Labour which forms the chief ele~ ment in the official Opposition. They have not yet made much tmpression on the Conservative phalanx which is the main factor in the National Government's solid majority. The National Government's task 1s not ended. The recovery of the nation has'still to be hailed as an event beyond doubt. World currents are such that the need for a representative national prosecution of che campaign for averting the dangers of another world war must be accompanied by a firm expression of the national determination to keep the bulwarks of physical defence intact. The Government's difficulties here arise from the dangerous enthusiasm which reaction may give to Support of its essential measures of rearmament. This enthusiasm too often takes the form of belittle ing any effort to maintain the tech-unique of peace-construction. It overlooks the possibility of making true national patriotism compatible with a sane international How far party prejudices can be taught to subordinate themselves to national requirements remains to be seen. So far, under the leadership of Mr. Ramsay MacDonald, Mr. Stanley Baldwin and Sir John Simon, the National Government has steered a course which, while evoking occasional criticism from all camps in turn, has justified itself by success. Financial rehabilitation has been secured. National morale has been revived. Valuable social legislation of various kinds has been assed. British contributions to world-diplomacy have been valuable and constructive. The question, however, has to be asked: will the forces on which the Government in the main have had rely for its support marked a bias to the extreme Fight? With the development of a stronger left tendency in the Opposition there may be a corres-Ponding reaction in the Government ranks, Instead of being inclined to adopt a milder tone because of the evident electoral swing to the left, it may be inspired by a belief in the virtue of downright principles of Toryism leven at the risk of committing virtual hari-kari when the testing time comes in the General Election. Expression of this view is often found in certain Conservative comments on the respective merits of Communism and Fascism, JOverlooking the historical fact that never has Great Britain adopted jan alien political creed, the commentators affect to see a possible future victory for one or the other and they fondly imagine that Fascism has fewer disadvantages than its rival tyranny. Yet, if only because of the impossibility of recon-oilling either Red or Black to the overseas responsibilities of the Empire, such embrace of a pol lof despair seems to be utterly unjustified. Nor is it irrelevant to observe that, especially since the Southport Conference, Bri Labour has emphatically repudiate ed any form of Communism. Thus has due weight been given: to the clear opinion of the electorate which has combined increased support of Labour with unequivocal and more firmly expressed isle of Communism and Fas-
There is no danger of losing national support.for the National Government so long as national policies prevail. Much depends on the wisdom of the Conservative rank and file for the preservation this condition in sufficient vigour to avert a catastrophic Labour victory in the next General Election. A plea for creative Conservatism has been heard of late from friends of the Government. Seven years ago a young Conservative writer, Mr. Anthony 'M. Ludovici, outlined the principles of a constructive Conservatism with clarity and force. He criticized his party on the ground that it had nothing to oppose, except the resistance of self-interest, to the pro Hramme of reforms recommended by Labour. Of the ideas which could be used both for attack and defence, it.is entirely guiltless, Mr. Ludoviei claimed that the Conservatives needed an organiza-enormous growth in the public support of the soccer code. The Giants donot enter upon the scene until the Third Round which is fixed for January 12. The draw is of [special interest for it contains the ames of the famous amateur team, the Corinthians. Formerly this side shared the privilege of the giants. On that being denied, it withdrew from the Competition for it was felt that the effort to keep in cup-tie form for a longer period than three months would be beyond the resources of amateurs. However, that feeling and others which reinforced it have disappeared and the Corin thians this year are again bidding for fame in the Competition. They may find that experience of the first we rounds will stand them in good stead when the sterner tussles come. They have not the best of luck in the draw for they have to visit Watford where they will meet a lowly Third Division side which has an uncanny knack of playing above form in cup-ties.
Text read from the printed page and cleaned; old type leaves the occasional error.