British Cabinet Crisis.

Hokitika Guardian, 20 January 1922, Page 2

British Cabinet Crisis.

irfSTf'P UJAN AND N.Z. CABLE ASSOCIATION

LONDON, Jan 19. Although a general election baa been postponed from February till later, a Cabinet crisis has developed since Lloyd George’s return. Tho Premier strongly resents SGeorge Younger, Unionist Whip’s public threats of a withdrawal of the Unionista from the Coalition if a general election is held before tho reform of the House of! Lords is carried. Mr Lloyd George also resents Air Austen Chamberlain’s failure to control Sir George Younger, whoso manifesto* end speeches have virtually claimed Mr I Chamberlain’s support. It is reported that Mr Lloyd George lias threatened to resign, and to take 1 the Coalition-Liberals into opposition,

thus handing over the Government to Mr Chamberlain, whose Unionist sup- | porters constitute a majority in the 1 House of Ojmmons. The break up of the Coalition will now be inevitable if the Unionists endeavour to compel Mr Lloyd George 1 to introduce a Bill for the reforming of the House of Lords. | The Unionists want the restoration qf the House of Lords’ power of veto, which the Asquithian Parliament Act, ; of 1911, abolished. ! The Coalition-Liberals however, will not support such a restoration of the veto, except to a purely elective second chamber.

The interest in the Cabinet crisis has been increased by the political leaders’ latest public engagements. Air Chamberlain speaks at Glasgow to-day, and at Edinburgh with Sir George Younger tomorrow. Mr Lloyd George will address a conference of the Coalition Liberals in London on Saturday. It is stated that Mr Lloyd George’s speech will be of the utmost importance, but whether it will be a castigation of Sir George Younger or an attempt to heal the dissension in , the Coalition, is unknown.

LLOYD GEORGE’S DECISION. (Received This Day at 9.5 a.m.) LONDON, Jan^J9. Mr Chamberlain speaking at Glasgow, said Mr Lloyd George and such colleagues as he had consulted, had unanimously decided! not to seek a disselution prior to the proper establishment and equipment of the Irish Provisional Government.