30 NOVEMBER 1929, Page 3

' On the night of Thursday, November 21st, in the

Albert Hall, Mr. Baldwin made a speech which was first-rate of its kind but was not on the whole what was needed. His detailed comparison of Labour pledges with what the Labour Government are doing was the more deadly because of the coolness with which he spoke, but when the " present distress " of the country is so pressing we should have preferred something more positive. It will be said, of course, that Mr.' Baldvan's constructive policy was contained in Preferential Tariffs and Safeguarding. He certainly committed himself more definitely 'than he has done for years to Protective methods, and aroused much enthusiasm by so doing. He was careful to let his praise of Lord Beaverbrook stop short of embracing Lord Beaverbrook's policy. Apart from his specific remedies, Mr. Baldwin's apprecia- tion of our Imperial heritage and his call for development were admirable—full of imagination and fire. It will be lamentable, however, if the Unionist Party should become pledged officially to a policy in direct opposition to that of the Geneva Economic Conference.

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