British Politics.

Hokitika Guardian, 10 March 1922, Page 3

British Politics.

AUSTRALIAN AND N.Z. CABLE ASSOCIATION.

(Received This Day at 8 a.in.)

J LONDON, March 8. j Important correspondence has been published between Sir Alexander Leith, ■ (Chainnap of the National Unionist Council), and Mr A. Chamberlain. The | former, seeking an explanation of the |.letter’s Oxford declaration, “when wc ! go as a Government,” with Chamberj lain’s speech, cabled on 21st February, j Mr Chamberlain contends his OxI ford speech merely elaborates and exj plains bis reference on Feb. 27th to the .following exampla of Balfour and his father in 1900. He adds:—“l regard Unionists and National Liberals under the present circumstances, as two wings of one great Constitutional Progressive Party. No differences of principle separates us in regard to questions of the immediate future. On the contrary, everything for which we stand, including the fundamental of our Constitutional economic position, which hitherto had been the common faith of both great parties, was now being challenged by the so-called Labour party, which alone threatens seriously to menace the Coalition. I cannot understand the attitude of) those desiring needlessly to quarrel with our Liberal Allies. He complains that the movement for separation of Unionists from the National Liberals resulted in the recent election defeats, and urges Leith to accept his advice in order to prevent the split now threatening, not only between the branches of the Coalition, but within the Unionist Party under the influence of men without responsibility or equal knowledge of what is required, in the interests of both nation and party.