GENERAL ELECTION

Evening Post, Volume CXII, Issue 81, 2 October 1931, Page 7

GENERAL ELECTION

EAELY IN BRITAIN

STILL NO ANNOUNCEMENT

NATION OR PARTY ISSUE

(British Official Wireless.)

(Received 2nd October, 11 a.m.) RUGBY, Ist October. Political conversations to decide whether or not a General Election will be held in the near future are still continuing, and it seems unlikely that a decision showing the final alignment of parties can be announced yet awhile. Broadly stated,"the position at the moment is that the Prime Minister, greatly impressed by the desirability of treating national issues on a national, as distinct from a party, basis, wishes to a Government as far as possible representative of all parties with a mandate from the country to employ any remedy which the trend of economic events may require.

The Conservatives believe tariffs to be the remedy required and are1 generally strongly in favour of an early election. The Liberal organisation, with Mr. Lloyd George, are against an immediate election, and are only prepared to agree to an objective examination by the present Government of tariffs in a mitigated form as a possible emergency measure.

A considerable section of the Parliamentary Liberal Tarty is reported, however, to go farther than that and to be willing to support the Prime Minister in any course he may adopt. Sir Herbert Samuel, the Liberal Home Secrotary, yesterday discussed the situation with Mr. Lloyd George,, who is watching developments from his sick room at Churt, and to-day had a conversation on the Liberal attitude with tho Prime Minister. Interest at the moment centres upon the extent and nature of Liberal support which would be available for the Prime Minister in the event of a decision to hold an election in tho near future. A further Cabinet meeting will take place this evening. ' This morning Lord Beading, the Liberal Foreign Secretary, was received by tho King. ' ; ■ Tho Prime Minister to-morrow will speak at a Labour delegate meeting at his constituency, Seaham Harbour, thus facing a body of his one-time supporters who a few weeks ago expressed by 40 votes to 39 disapproval of his action in leading tho National Government.