HON LLOYD GEOROE

Hokitika Guardian, 22 March 1920, Page 1

HON LLOYD GEOROE

ACBTBALIAN <fe N.Z. CABLE ASSOCIATION LONDON, March 18. Mr Lloyd George addressed a meeting of the Liberal members of the House of Commons, who support Coalition. He said he desired to define his position. He also indicated his future policy. He strongly urged the Liberals present to join hands with die Unionists. He wanted them to do so in order to fight the So-cialistic-Labour Party, which, lie asserted, was now reaping the results of the many years of propaganda by the Labour Socialist wing. He said he believed in private enterprise. He said the demand for common ownership in Britain corresponded the French agitation in favour of Communism, and also to Russian Bolshevism. He asserted lie remained a Liberal, only he considered it the duty of all parties to combine with the Unionists against Socialism. Mr Lloyd George went on to say that no Party at the present time was able to command a majority. He urged the Conservatives, and Liberals should not fight. It would he suicidal for them to fight. It would enable Labour to triumph. Tho policy of his new Coalition Government would be one of peace at home and abroad, hut would he against Socialism. It would favour development of a

League of Nations. Mr Lloyd George denied that there was any rivalry between liimself and Mr Asquith (leader of the Independent Liberal Party). It is noteworthy, however, that the Independent Liberals would not accept Mr Lloyd George’s invitation to attend tlie meeting to bear his address. PERSONAL POPULARITY. # LONDON, March 19. , Mr Lloyd George’s reception at the 1 [ Liberal Coalitionists’ meeting showed his , * personal popularity with them'"was hot

impaired. He had a great ovation from them, his opening address being punctuated by cheers. There were 116 present. Mr Lloyd George did not once use the word “fusion” in his address. It was mainly a plea for a continuance of the Coalition with the Unionists. The ground urged was that there was a peril to the country which had to be faced as well as a gamble through Socialism. H?. asserted real danger would be the resul: of any political conflict between the Liberals and the Unionists. In that case tlie Socialists would snatch a temporary majority. The Socialists were beginning by demanding tlie nationalisation of industries. If they tried this experiment ip Socialism they would fail, but it would be-harmful to experiment, because once commercial prosperity departed, he said, it rarely comes back again, so their peril was great. It is asserted the meeting between Mr. Lloyd George and., the Coalition Liberal members showed that Mr. Lloyd George has a strong feeling against a fusion with tlie Unionists. There would certainly be several Liberal resignations if such a scheme is persisted in. A number of Unionist Peers also object to a fusion. It is thus likely that Mr. Lloyd Geirge’s scheme will be considerably modified.