18 OCTOBER 1924, Page 2

The Unionist programme is the only one which explicitly mentions

the League of Nations. It contains other points with which we have dealt in our second leading article. Our criticism of it as a whole is that it is a lack-lustre production. Men ou2ht to have their hearts warmed and their hopes raised by political mani- festos. This manifesto will do neither of those things. We are not in the least advocating exaggerations, dis- honest promises that cannot be fulfilled, or any kind of Jack Cade claptrap. The Unionist intentions are, no doubt, excellent ; but no one on reading Mr. Baldwin's pronouncement could possibly feel that here is a cause to die for. Fortunately the Labour Government during the past fortnight have revealed such a very bad side to their character that the lack of colour in the Unionist programme will not, we believe, prevent sensible electors from rallying to the Unionist Party as by far the stoutest and safest trustee of the national interests. We Unionists who mean business in the removal of many long-standing hardships that afflict the people must move heaven and earth to import into the Unionist programme what has been implied rather than asserted.