A ROYAL DENIAL.

Hokitika Guardian, 30 July 1921, Page 3

A ROYAL DENIAL.

CABLE NEWS,

I STATEMENT BY LORD NORTHCLIFFE. EMPHATICALLY DENIED BY KING GEORGE. HON LLOYD GEORGE’S SCATHING COMMENT. AUSTRALIAN AND N.Z. CABLE ASSOCIATION. (Received This Day at 9.40 a.m.) ' LONDON, July 29 The interview given by Lord Northed ifl'e to the New York “Times” purporting to give a conversation between the King and Hon Lloyd George with reference to the state of Ireland wherein the former insisted that the Prime Minister should come to some agreement with the Irish, has created a sensation hove. Tlie interview was not published in London by the editor of the ‘‘Daily Mail,” hut was confined to its Irish, Scotch and Welsh editions. Hon Lloyd George, in the House of Commons, said a statement had appeared in certain Irish and English newspapers attributing words of grave con sequence to the King relating to the Irish policy. They appeared in the form of an interview which Lord Northclifle had given to American newspapers ami puhlisho ! in his journals here. Continuing, lion l.lovd George said— The King has authorised me to read the following statement oil his behalf “His Majesty had his attention directed to Lord Xorthclifle’s interview. The statements contained in the report are a ybniplete fabrication. No such conversations as those alleged took place, nor were any such remarks made by his Majesty. His Majesty desires it to he made quite clear, as the contrary is suggested in the interview, that in his speech to the Northern Parliament, he followed the invariable constitutional practice relating to speeches from the Throne.”

Hon. Lloyd George expressed the hope that the King’s statement would

do something to sterilize the effect of the criminal malignity which was endeavouring to stir up mischief between

the Allies and misunderstandings between the British Empire and l lifted States and frustrate peace in Ireland. (Cheers.) Mr Thomas said the Labourites wished to associate themselves with the King’s dignified protest. Mr Donald Maclean stated Ihe King in repudiating the words attributed to him. acted in accordance with what the people would expect.