16 MARCH 1934, Page 2

A. Statement of Liberal Policy The new statement of Liberal

Policy does not pro- fess to be an exhaustive programme comparable with that set forth in the Industrial Yellow Book, the agri cultural Green Book, and " Coal and Power." It is a brief resumes of the attitude of the Party .to the problems of today. It reaffirms belief in the application of the- principles of Peace, Liberty and Social. Justice to the prevention of war, disarmament, Parliamentary government, trade, productive enterprise, agriculture, education and housing. It states afresh the case for Free Trade, abolition of subsidies to industry, Proportional Representation, a reform of the House of Lords, the taxation of land values, extended education, and a big forward movement in housing activity. The more energetic spirits in the Party will be likely to concentrate their attention on those parts of the programme which deal with national development and especially housing, and secondly, with industrial organization. Particular notice should be given of their proposal to strengthen associations of merchants and manufacturers, and give them a definite constitution " with power to act for the trade as a whole." If Liberals would throw their whole weight into a campaign for the efficient reorganization of the coal, iron and steel, cotton and certain other staple industries, they would do much to strengthen their position in the country as champions of an essential, yet up to the present neglected, reform. Here their policy provides an alternative alike to inaction and to Socialism.