A POLICY SPEECH.

Hokitika Guardian, 16 October 1922, Page 1

A POLICY SPEECH.

LLOYD GEORGE AT MANCHESTER AUSTRALIAN AND N.Z. CABLE ASSOCIATION (Received this day at 8 a.in.) LONDON, Oct. 14.

Hon Lloyd George was musingly received, when he rose at Manchester luncheon. He said—Since coming north I have not noticed any symptoms of indignation and execration with which the present Government was supposed to be regarded everywhere. On Ike contrary I have been received with unusual cordiality and enthusiasm. The people of Britain d'd not believe the Government had endeavoured to rush the country into war. We have been not warmongers, but peacemongers. Nevertheless the Government liad been assailed with misrepresentation the like ol which no other Government has had to face. In this country there are queer people let loose in the press to-day. Government aims in the East crisis had been threefold—the freedom of the Straits, prevention of the war spreading to Europe, prevention of a repetition in Europe of tho unutterable horror in Asia Minor.

The great war practically began in the Balkans. Government had had to act promptly and firmly. Since 1014. according to official testimony, the Turks in cold blood had slaughtered one and a half million Armenians, and half a million Greeks. Government had pursued a policy in accordance with the highest interests and traditions of this land.

General Harington had warned us that there were fifteen to twenty thousand armed Turks inside Constantinople. France sent a message stating if either Creeks or Turks invade the neutral .zone they must be resisted with force by the Allies. M’c accepted that though France did not mean it. Tt is useless trying to bluff a first rate fighting animal. You can decide not to threaten, hut must not threaten unless you mean it. It was because Britain threatened and meant it, and the Turks knew we meant it, that we had peats’. Mr Asquith said they should show the patient forbearing policy that Sir E. Crev showed the Germans in 1914 and should not have departed from the old diplomacy, but tho old diplomacy resulted in the most disastrous, war the world had ever known. Ho did lust desire to blame anyone for it. but -Mr Asquith and Sir E. Grey knowing their own [last difficulties, ought not to have thrown stones at people doing their utmost to face enormous difficulties.

[ did not improvise a policy regarding Turkey. I inherited it. There was a series of agreements with Russia, France Italy, a.nd Greece to leave Turkey only ,-t strip of Anatolia. Before 1 became Prime Minister, Sir E. Grey and Mr Asquith did that. 1 approved as a member of the Government. So did Hon A. J. Balfour, and Hon A. Bonar Law, Mr Chamberlain and Labourites. That- policy failed, through circumstatKxis none of us could control. The Russian revolution and United States’ failure to undertake a mandate over Armenia and tho fall of Vc'nizeles. Wo had to recast our policy, and make the best- of it. We have secured a. bloodless jxoce. of" which Britain need not he ashamed of securing freedom of Straits and of Arabia, and protecting the minorities of Southern Europe. Now I must obtrude ptrsonal matters, because they become, n matter of •oOliilrovitM'sy. Mr Maclean, a. friend whom I like and respect highly, has finally kicked the Coalition Liberals out of tho Liberal Party. There are Die hards in both camps. They like to make a diehard, and soon if there is to bo a change, no man will welcome it more than I. I have had a pretty long and hard spell, and would lovo freedom. Tho office is a great shackle. I never sought the Premiership. 1 offerd to serve in any capacity in any Ministry, prepared to conduct tho war efficiently. I offered to serve under Hon A. J. Balfour and lion A. Bonar Law. Again in 1919. I hogged Hon Bonar Law to take charge, hut lie refused. Again at the lieginniiig of this year I suggested to lion A. Chamberlain that as loader of the strongest party, he should take charge, offering to isorve under him in any capacity, provided a policy of peace was followed, no reactionary legislation was introduced aml the contract with Ireland was carried out. Mr Chamberlain refused and the Ministry asked mo to carry on. 1 should regret a severance from the men who served me faithfully and helped along the countries interests and policies, which their supporters opposed, but 1 would welcome freedom.

It would bo into nesting to watch others in the midst of difficulties that thoy think are so easily solvable. 1 shall watch, for instance, how they forgive Germany h|er 'reparations, veil make France love us more; how wo can pay United States, yet forgive other countries everything they owe ms. I shall watch how they work the educational system, give more to the unemployed, yet ‘reduce taxation. These are joys in store.

I understand a motion will ha submitted to the Conservative Convention favouring dispensing 'with liny services. It would have been more lianourabh* and courageous to have moved it in 1918. On the other hand the IVee Frees say they will not have anything to do with me. or any <>f »iy 'associates. Despite these things i have many friends among the Conservatives and Liberals, and those not attached to any party. 1 atn not afraid of the future. 1 shall east myself upon the people whose cause I have never betrayed in 32 years of public life. Alv course is clear. I will support with all my might, any Govern mem t, which devotes all its energies fearlessly and resolutely to the supreme task of giving the people, enough to devote themselves to Hie peaceful vocations of life, always prvided they don’t embark on measures. whether reactionary or revolutionary, which would inflict permanent injury on this country.

The future is perplexed, and the situation of tho world and Britain is too grave for any man to play party dr person all manoeuvres. Thle Wee Frees brought tho Liberal Party to the brink of destruction by that kind of twaddle. Those* who are now engaging i#i the same, game with the Conservative Party will live, to Teap disappointment and disillusionment. The nation will not forgive the parties which sacrificed national interests in n groat emergency for party gain. I shall play for no party or personal gain. I place national security and prosperity above* party interests, arid if as a consequence hereof I drift into tho wilderness, I shall always recall with pride, that I have boon able, through the loyalty of my colleagues during the dark hours of our history, to render the country no mean service. ! shall bo proud of having attempted things which still have not reached a complete success. Above all, I shall be proudest, if this were the last day I hold office was given mo the last days and -Weeks 'of Premiership to involve the might of this great Empire in order to protect from indescribable horror, the men, women and children by hundreds 'thousands, who trusted the plighted word of France, Italy, and ourselves, for shelter and defence. Mr Lloyd George spoke for seventyfive minutes, and closed amidst a thunderous and continued applause.