IN THE HOUSE OF LORDS

Evening Post, Volume CVII, Issue 14, 17 January 1924, Page 7

IN THE HOUSE OF LORDS

ATTITUDE TOWARDS LABOUR.

LONDON, 16th January. In the House of Lords, Viscount Grey said the effect of the- political situation on foreign affairs was lamentable. It could only be bettered if the three-party system remained by arrangement whereby tlie Secretary of Foreign Affairs took the leaders of the other two parties into his confidence, so that he could say, on the general lines of his policy, that the country was behind him. The King might find himself in a position wherein the Prime Minister with a minority in the House of Commons might advise a dissolution, and the Commons, by a large majority, might pass an address praying the King to withhold the dissolution. All parties, ho said, should find a way to prevent the King being placed in Such an invidious position. Viscount Cui'zon said that, if the Labour Government pursued a foreign policy consistent with dignity; in the interests of the country there would be no factious opposition from the Conservatives, but, if violent proposals of Labour -were submitted to Parliament, the House of Lords would remember it was their duty to conserve tlie principles which lay at the root of good government and society itself. J

Lord Haldane asked their Lordships not to bo alarmed at the prospect of a Labour Government. Thcro was no fear, he said, of revolutionary laws being passed. °

Lord Birkenhead asked the House not to accept Lord Haldarie's smooth, easy assurances. No mote reckless gamble was ever undertaken*by Liberal leaders than the proposed action in the present crisis. By this decision the Liberals sounded their death-knell and doom. The Lords agreed to reply to the speech.