RESHUFFLING THE PACK

Dominion, Volume 13, Issue 17, 15 October 1919, Page 7

RESHUFFLING THE PACK

MR. LLOYD GEORGE'S NEW "CENTRE PARTY." By John Sandes.'in the "Sydney Daily Telegraph.") . London, July 28. , It is not a good name ior. a British political party. It. is too thoroughly saturated witn associations of the tierman Reichstag, where the- "Cei/lrum," which is closely identified with the name, of Erzberger, stands ior the*politically organised Roman Catholic Party in Germany. But the new. members of the House of Commons! who entered the House at the last election and who initiated the "New Members Coalition Committee" to "promote a' clearer and more effective understanding between tho various component elements of the present coalition," have already drummed up'a large following of recruits', and I learn l ' that the name "Centre Party," which 'is'now''generally"applied to' the" new group, is merely an ad interim appellation. LaTer on, when the grain of mustard seed so carefully planted hns grown into the great tree so .earnestly hoped for, in which political fowls of the most diverse;shapes and colours will find shelter and contentment, the name is to be changed, nnd the inaptly named "Centre" Party will. blossom . out into the "National Democratic" Party] and, under the leadership of Mr. Lloyd George will, ii is hoped, gather- unto itself adherents from the-progressive wing of'tho Conservatives, from that section of the Liberals which is least: bound down by traditionalism, and ' from ' that part ol politically organised Labour-which, holds itself .carefully aloof from Mr. Ramsay Macdonald in the House of Common's end-from Mr. Robert- Smillie outside it.

With the National Democratic Party, "broad-based upon the people's will" behind- him, iM.r. Lloyd. George expects either to secure a new lease of power frqm the House as at present constituted for his reconstructed Government, or else—if tho worst comes to tue worstto strengthen his position so effectively that if he has to app»nl to the country esninst Tencjion on the one-hand and Bolshevism on thp other, he will be abli to look with confidence for a favourable verdict from the constituencies.