THROUGH THE ARCHIVES: Unionist party member calls on government to safeguard Britain’s industries

From the News Letter, February 1, 1930
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“If I had my way to day I would treat every politician as a criminal. I am serious about that. . .The day of politics is past, and a much more serious problem is on hand. . .It really will not matter very much what our politics are for the future if something is not done to save the industries of the country,” that was the message of Mr F H Maclean who had presided at a joint meeting of the men’s and women’s branches of the Whiteabbey Unionist Association which had been held in the Johnston Memorial Hall in the Co Antrim town.

Mr Maclean said that Britain was making no progress in global markets and he went so far as to suggest that the nation was in fact losing ground.

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He said: “France has reduced taxation and Britain is faced with a possible increase this year.”

Enjoying the opportunity to join in with some of the younger members of the Colonel Saunderson Corps of Drums and Pipes in January 2007. Pictured is prominent local businessman Andrew Kinnear who was a long serving trustee of Whiteabbey Royal British Legion. He is pictured along with Jamie Crooks, Barry Leckey and James Hollywood. Picture: Newtownabbey Times archivesEnjoying the opportunity to join in with some of the younger members of the Colonel Saunderson Corps of Drums and Pipes in January 2007. Pictured is prominent local businessman Andrew Kinnear who was a long serving trustee of Whiteabbey Royal British Legion. He is pictured along with Jamie Crooks, Barry Leckey and James Hollywood. Picture: Newtownabbey Times archives
Enjoying the opportunity to join in with some of the younger members of the Colonel Saunderson Corps of Drums and Pipes in January 2007. Pictured is prominent local businessman Andrew Kinnear who was a long serving trustee of Whiteabbey Royal British Legion. He is pictured along with Jamie Crooks, Barry Leckey and James Hollywood. Picture: Newtownabbey Times archives

He called for the question of reviving trade and industry to be removed from the arena of politics.

He said: “If industry does not improve in a very short time I cannot see how Great Britain will be able to stand the strain. It really will not matter very much what our politics are in the future if something is not done to save the industries of this country.”

He added: “A government is just like a business firm. If it goes on drifting and drifting there can only be one end to it.”

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He continued: “Unless something is done in the way of safeguarding and protecting the industries of the country there will be nothing left of them.”

He concluded: “I am absolutely sick of reading about conferences being held and I hope sincerely that something will now be done to try and revive the life of the country again.”

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