The Indianapolis times. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1922-1965, 1923-12-15
BALDWIN CALLED
aRECKLESS AMATEUR
Continued From Page u

Tories recall the way in which their
strength was used to carry radical
measures which they abhorred. On
the other hand. one section Of the
Liberals always disliked close coali-
ton with TOrryism, and other sections
recall the eagerness with which the
Tories threw them over when they
thought their party strong enough to
stand alone. Any question of coopera-
ton between Tories and Liberals
must. therefore. be dismissed. The
Carlton Club has made that impossi-
BILE As Lord Balfour said. in describ-
ing the decision of the Carlton meet
ing, There are certain things gentle
men don't do"
1t was one OF the most scathing
phrases ever used about the conduct
Of a party. but it was uttered by the
most distinguished living member of
that party, and it stands, and always
viii stand. The utterance, however,
has its logical cOrOllary. An under
standing with such a party is not
practical politics. There is no Liberal
of any tsanding who would rely
upon il.
A Rooted Distrust
This rooted distrust between the
old political parties constitutes the
most serious element in the situation
The new party which has risen TO
great power in rece years is I'M
dOubtedly pledged TO mischief. The
immediate question is what it will do
Rwhen it is charged with responsibility
VIII It put its incendiary doctrines
into practice or will it quietly drop
the revolutionary torch and walk by
the ordered light Of practice and prec-
edent? Had it secured a majority
at the last election. I should not view
the, prospect with much hope.
The dominating factor in the cir
.cUmstances. however, is that If So
cialistic party takes office they can
not legislate nor yet administer with
out Liberal adolescence. That fact
must necessarily cramp the Glasgow
style. That does not mean that it
can do nothing. Il does not even
prevent its effecting great changes
There stiIl would be a wide field for
progressive action or unemployment.
education, housing, health. agriculture
and foreign policies. a large section
Of the Labor program IS identical with
proposals submitted by Liberalism to
the country. Nine-tenths Of the Labor
party viii be well pleased TO be able
to plead the constraint imposed by the
fact that they are the minority in the
house. The capital levy and nationali-
zation must therefore be postponed
and precedence given to measures
which the Liberals will be heartily
glad to support. from whatever quar-
ter they may come.
Is Labor Likely?
Is the contingency Of labor
government possible? Unless the
spirit of the constitution is to be
violated. it seems TO me 10 ne
inevitable. The electorate has by the
most overwhelming majority ever
Mrecorded voted no confidence" in the
resent administration. Eight million
eight hundred thousand electors out
of a total poll Of fourteen million two
hundred thu Isand gave an ani-gov-
eminent vote. No government has
ever been dismissed with such en-
phasis. The vote was not merely for
or against free trade 1t was for or
against the present government. Its
conduct of affairs was definitely
arranged by both opposing parties
and the electors have voted it down as
a ridi Ilous failure. For it to con-
finue in office is therefore a defiance.
If they have not the decency TO
recognize that they are not wanted.
the new parliament will make short
work of them One party or the
other. or both. must surely move
vote OF mo confidence in such a
government and whoever moves 1t, all
those who are returned to support
the present administration are in duty
bound to vote for that motion.
What Next
What next? I assume that this
vote Of want of confidence will be
moved by the second party in the
State. The party that successfully
challenges the government on vote
Of confidence has the next call, by ali
nractice of the constitution. Any at
teuDt to strain the constitution
AGAINST any part would undermine
confidence in the working Of the
British constitution itself Snobbery
is no part of the British constitution
Fand If anyone acts on the assumption
that il IS Il viii lead 70 results Of
.,-disastrous a character that I car
sot believe that even the term Of reck-
less amateurs now in charge Of affairs
could commit such a foolish blunder.
The Labor party is entitled to fair
ulav from the constitution which they
are expected to obey. Any attempt at
shallow cleverness to do Labor out Of
its chance" would provoke a resent
r,ent which would astOnish its perpe-
traitors. It would inf1ict irretrievable
hurt on a constitution whose success
has depended on the confidence it has
always inspired in all classes in its
stern and undertaking impartiality-
VIII Labor Shirk?
Whether Labor is prepared to Shout
der its responsibilities or whether it
viii shirk is a question for the leaders
Of that party TO decide. But If they
are ready to take the responsibility.
then to deprive them Of their leg1u-
mate chance would be a fraud on the
constitution The Carlton Club must
have the courage to look Its own
handiwork in the face.
As I have already pointed out.
there is no question of coalition be
tween Liberals and Conservatives or
Liberals and Labor. Whichever party
takes power, they must accept the
whole Of the burden to place their own
remedies before the country and the
other parties must accept their re