British Politics.

Hokitika Guardian, 17 October 1922, Page 3

British Politics.

AUSTRALIAN AND N.Z. CABLE ASSOCIATION. HON LLOYD GEORGE WELCOMED. LONDON, Oct 1(5. : Hon Lloyd, George liad an enthusiastic reception on returning to London. Crowds cheered him heartily. Hon Lloyd George who had a long interview with Hon W. Churchill, was greatly impressed by the warmth of his welcome- in the north of England. THE GENERAL ELECTION. UNITED SERVICE TELEGRAMS. (Received this dav at 8 a.m ) I LONDON. Oct 16.

The “Daily Mail” lobbyist states a general election in November is now regarded as a. certainty. The probable date is the (sth November. The Labour Party have arranged to begin their electoral campaign on October 28-th. TIMES’ CRITICISM. “ TTTE TIMES ” SERVICE. (Received this dav at 8 a.m.) LONDON, Oct 16. Tiie “Times” in a leader, expresses disappointment at the Premier’s speech. It says lie failed to answer the main criticisms , and dealt with the problems impending the Peace Conference in a. spirit which would be. justified duly if Christendom were waging a holy war against the Turks. FRENCH CRITICISM. •(Received this dav at 8 a.m.) PARIS, Oct 16. Public opinion resents Mr Lloyd G<urge’s references at Manchester to the Srcneh agreement to protect the neutral zone, which France interprets as an allegation that France broke her word. ,

M. Tardieu in the “Echo d’ Nation” describes the speech ns a firebrand calculated 'to start a conflict. In the mouth of the Prime Minister there are words of conflict unheard of between London and Paris for twenty-five years.

The “Temps” accused Mr Lloyd George of seeking election advantages ait the expense of European peace.

PRESS CRITICISM. LONDON, Oct 10. Tim Press comment on Mr Lloyd George’s speech is severely critical, and generally had for him. The (‘Daily Chronic-la” and “Daily Telegraph” are alone supporting him. The latfcr is deprecating the general election in the present state of the Near Eastern situation and in view of the imminence of the ratification of tli© Irish treaty. The “Daily Express” describes Mr Lloyd George’s references to France as deplorable. It declares:—“Whoever represents us at the Near East- ' ern Conference will bo weighted h.v | these utterances. It is an impossible position.” The “Westminster Gazette”* says:— “Nobody is so quick to recognise tinfailure of tactics as Mr T.loyd George. He plainly saw that the country had no use for Air Chamberlain's policy, and left the latter to flounder in the morass in which lie wandered. i

The “Morning Post” says: “I ho apparent frivolity with which the- Premier deals with the most delicate questions of inernntionnl moment seems to indicate that Mr Lloyd George is temneramentally incapable of understandin" the elements of statesmanship.” LONDON. Oct 16. The- Press continues to la- obsessed hv the obscurity of the political situation.

.Most of the journals predict an early dissolution.

Other papers point out that Mr Lloyd George is not the resigning sort of politician, and sav that lie was profoundly impressed by the warmth of his reception in Lancashire. Thus lie may attempt, to carry on, in a belied that he is sufficiently strong to break down the antagonism to him, ns he has done previously. Lord Birkenhead, Mr Churchill and others are stated to he pressing Mr Lloyd George to appeal to the eountry. On the other hand, the other Tory members of the Cabinet declare that if the Premier forces an election without consulting the Conservatives as a party .they will resign Immediately, and so precipitate a crisis. | Tho Conservatives and the Indepen-, dent Liberals are preparing for a (iirjit, Th latter have 300 Candidates ready to take the field at the, shortest notice. The “'Westminster Gazette” declares that Labour’s chances are greatly strengthened by Mr Chamberlain’s invention of a Bolshevik bogey. j

FRENCH CRITICISM. | PARIS, Oct 15. I There is much comment in France on Mr Woyd George’s speech. He is, accused of' “relating history m Ins own fashion, for his own purposes.” There is French resentment against his accusation that the French people abandoned the British. His words are regarded in some journals a- s more wounding than any which even the enemy countries directed against France during 'the war. “he Temps” makes a violent attack on Mr Lloyd George. It says:—“lt | pleases him to appear amid the light- » ning of European storms .as a Frankenstein.” ~ . . M. Bouillon (French Commissioner to the Far East) whose actions in the j Near East dimensions have been criti- . oised in British semi-official quarters, says: “We will reply to Mr Lloyd , G-tw'e! The world will then he sur-j prised, when it knows exactly what happened.” I

UNIONISTS TO CONFER. ■ (Received this (lav at 11. MCI a.m.*) kONDOX, October 10. Hon. A listen Chamberlain addresses a conference of Unionists Ministers and members at Carlton Club on Thursday. A vote is expected on the party’s election policy. MR, LLOYD GEORGE. i (Received this day at 11.30 a.m.) j LONDON, October 10, I Mr Lloyd George who to-day eon- i ferred with Mr Chamberlain, Lord Birkenhead and Hon. W. Churchill speaks at Newcastle on Saturday. FRENCH PRESS ANGRY. PARIS, Oct 16. The newspapers continue angry comments on Mr Lloyd George’s speech. All deny that the maintenance of peace in the Near East was the result of British threats to the Turk*. They contend (that French diplomacy wassolely responsible ‘therefore. The >‘Figaro’’ ’declares nevser was the truth more audaciously travestied and never has a Minister so greatly slandered the Allied nations. The “Matin” says the testimony of General Hnrington to French co-i operation is as precious as Lloyd George’s declarations are valueless. ■I/O Journal” says our duty is to inform Mr Lloyd George that if he enters the Peace Conference in the frame of mind ho showed at Manchester lie must bear the responsibility for inevitable conflicts,