British Politics.

Hokitika Guardian, 16 October 1922, Page 3

British Politics.

POLITICAL POSITION

*r ilt a MAN AND N.Z. CABLE ASSOCIATION

< Received this day at 9.30 a. n.) LONDON, October 10.

Whether Labour shall, or shall not he allowed to govern, seems likely to ho the basis of the Government’s appal both to Coalition members of Parliament and the country at the elections. judging from Mr Chamberlain a speech. Mr Chamberlain’s attack on Labour was no surprise. Mr J. H Thomas states it is evident that the Coalition’s battle cry will be wicked Labour Government. He added that we accept the challenge. I feel happy respecting the outcome. Hon. Clynes declared the Government were' trying to shield themselves by shouting “Beware of Labour . The “Times” in a leader, pronounces Mr Chamberlain’s speech as a failure, unwise, unfair, misleading and deliberate attempt to conjure up Labour Party as a terrible menace. It betrays an attitude of mind which demonstrates the Government is no longer fitted to control tlm destinies of the nation.

COMPLEX POLITICAL SITUATION fßeceived this day at 10 a.m.) LONDON, Oct. 15.

Mr Chamberlain’s and Mr Lloyd George’s speeches have done little to simplify the complexity of the political situation. The newspapers, according to partisanship, place conflicting interpretations upon these speeches. Some strongly approve of Mr Chamberlain's loyalty to Mr Lloyd George. Others declare he is a traitor to the Conservative party and should resign the leadership. It is suggested . in some quarters that both Chamberlain and Lloyd George are again manoeuvring for the creation of a centre party, by the elimination of the dissentient elements in the Coalition. Their speeches seem to indicate they intend to await developments in the Conservative rani*. The moderation of Lloyd George’s speech came as a surprise after the sensational prophecies. The “Sunday Express” states the question for the Conservatives is whether the party is to be shattered like tho Liberal party, in order to keep Lloyd George in power. The Conservative rank and file desire to deliver the party from the coils and toils of the Coalition.. They are determined to recover their independence and go before the electors with their own policy. Chamberlain ought to resign, and if lie refuses, a conference of Conservatives members of the Commons and Louis ought to be summoned to define the .party’s policy, awl choose a leader. The “Observer” states the mass of moderate Conservatives desire to end the present Coalition. They want to march to the polls under their own banner with their own leader and programme. This is the only means of keeping the party together. If by an immediate election the Unionist party is committed without its representative body being consulted, a total split will be threatened and Unionist leaders in the Cabinet may be repudiated bv tinrank and file. The “Observer” declares that experts reading between the lines of the Manchester speech, predict Air I.Joyd George intends to resign the premiership within a few days. This will result in a dissolution of Parliament and an election early in November.