HON LLOYD GEORGE.

Hokitika Guardian, 21 January 1918, Page 3

HON LLOYD GEORGE.

answering questions

\ CONSIDERABLE HECKLING

Received, this clay at 8.45 a.m. LONDON January 19. Hon Lloyd George, after his speech, invited and answered numerous r.uesjtfona regarding the ad visibility of negotiabmg with the Germans wlrnn the Hatt,e<r were yallegod to be whim up; and squealing for peace. He replied that the Germans were always ready for peace at tlieir own price, which we were not prepared to pav The moment the Germans show a disposition to negotiate, on equitable terms, there will be no reluctance to negotiate. - . - As ked whether or not the best way of ascertaining the opinion of the German people was to ..allow British representatives meet the presentatives of other Powers at Stockholm or elsewhere ,ho replied pointing out that the German representatives would he chosen hv the Government. You can, lie said, oniy make peace with a, Government. If the Government did not re* present the people of Germany, let them change it and if his 1 overnment does not represent the people of the (country they can change it. A delegate interjected—Give us tlie opportunity. Hon. Lloyd George replied.—We have given you the best opportunity in the Franchise Bill, - adding eight millions to .the electorates. You can have the opportunity at any time you like. The Premier was considerably heckled regarding objections to the International - Workers Conference.

Apart from tho/Government ho reiterated .that all the Allies and America had agreed that negotiations were only eonductable by representatives of the (governments; not sections of the poopie Hon. Lloyd George emphasised the difficulty of deciding when it was desirable to enter a peace conference without putting ones head into' the noose. He was convinced the conference would aggravate, not improve matters. A delegate asked him whether M ' Wilson’s reference to the freedom of the seas was according to the views of the British Government,. v The Premder [replied, emphasising that Britain was in a different position from America, or any continental country.' We must guard, most carefully, any attempt to interfere with our capacity to protect our shores, shipping and overseas communications. A elegnte asked what was meant bv reconsideration of the position of Alsace Lorraine.

The Premier replied that the British people will stand by France who considered peace would he impossible, till the question of Alsace-Lorraine was settled.