18 MAY 1929, Page 2

Mr. MacDonald promises Treasury grants for slum clearance. Maternal mortality

"must be reduced" and larger benefits for mothers are offered from the National Health Insurance funds. Under the head of Education he proposes to reduce the size of elementary classes and to provide the necessary grants for boys and girls to proceed to the Universities through Secondary schools. He would pass the Factories Bills, ratify the Washington Eight Hours Convention and amend Trade Union law. Pensions would be unified and extended. As for taxation, it is explained that the fundamental principle is that the standards of life should not be lowered "as has happened under this Government." There would be higher taxation of the rich, and land values would again be brought under contribution. A Labour Government would continue the pacifying work that Mr. MacDonald himself was able to do at the Foreign Office in 1924. We admit that Mr.. MacDonald's record at the Foreign Office was excellent. His statement on this subject is almost the only one which we can read without making reservations, although it is right to add that the whole document is free from , the faults of the unscrupulous auctioneer. . * * * *