British Politics.

Hokitika Guardian, 18 October 1922, Page 3

British Politics.

VARIOUS VIEWPOINTS. *U?U«T,IAN and n.z. cable association. (Received' this day at 9.30 a.m ) V LONDON, Oct. K>. The newspapers are full of specula- ( ' tions regarding the political situation. . Despite Mr Lloyd George'S indefinite,, announcements at Manchester, events have moved rapidly during the weekend towards a quick ending of the suspense. Hon W. Churchill gave a din- , ner party on Sunday, that was attended by Hon Lloyd George and Ldieial members of .the Cabinet, and Hon Chamberlain, Sir A. Balfour and Lord Birkenhead, who are definitely in la- ( vor of ft continuation of the Coalition.

Jt is reported that at the dinner an attempt was made to induce Mr Chamberlain to agree to rush the election as a Coalition, without any preliminary Unionist Party meeting. It is understood Mr Chamberlain declined, hence the summoning of the Unionist Commoners to a Cailto Club gathering on Thursday winch political writers agree will he the d - riding factor. At the meeting, Mr Chamberlain is expected to recommend Conservative and Liberal wings shah ,ro to the country as separate entities, hut hold themselves ready to ate in Parliament after the election. The Dichnrds. however, will press the meeting to decide that Conservatives should no longer uphold the A decision will ho reached in the shap. of a vote of eonfidenee Ui Mr ( berhin which the latter’s friends believe will he carried. . : At preliminary meetings ol Unionist Ministers and under secretaries today, a large majority supported Mi Chamberlain. On the other hand. Liu Dichnrds claim they have the support of innnv back benchers. Jt >ke (ailton Club meeting votes against continnance of the Coalition Mr Chaniherlain and most of his colleagues will resign from the Government. A powerful factor in the background is believed to be Hon Bonar Law's opposition to a continuance ol the t oaliticn with Llovd George. If the t ist Party renounces continuation of tlitCoalition, Mr Lloyd Georg- is expected ( to hand over control to a purely . onservative Ministry, which will iminediatelv face the electors. The leaders 1 of .'l.ll parties have made many specs- < ing engagements for the next fert- 1 uiglit. Mr Hewins lias given notice to move | at. the National Unionist Conference . in November that the Coalition cansand that the Conservative leaders ap- , peal to the country for a majority, to enable . the new Government to carry

out the following policy—lirst. Hie maintenance of the Entente ith France; secondly, the adoption ol a trade policy confirming the resolutions of the Imperial Conferences of 101 < ami 1018, with a view to restoring trade and reducing unemployment. Labour is planning to contest 41.1) seats. It cannot afford to waste money in hopeless Conservative strongholds.' A party official to-night said Labour expected to win 100 to 160 seats, and be strong enough to make it, difficult for any Government to play fast and loose with problems. lb" party did not intend to declare its

policy prior to the announcement ol a dissolution, owing to the fear of having their thunder stolen. THE COMING ELECTIONS. Received this day at 12.25 p.m.) LONDON. October 17. The approaching general election will b? the shortest political struggle ever held in Great Britain, and will return the smallest House of Commons far over a century. The representations of the People Act, 1918. increased the membership ol the Commons to 707, but the establishment of the Free State reduces Ireland’s representation at Westminster to thirteen representing Ulster exclusively and this reduces the Commons do 615. Under the Franchise Act, 1918. all polls must he token on the same day, niul ou the following day practically the whole of the constitution of the new Commons will he known. The whole campaign lietween the dissolution and the declaration of the polls will last but tlirce weeks. It is considered a stable Government will be impossible unless some party or group of parties commands at- least 925 votes. The estimates in all parties expects Labor to bo the second largest group. Hon. Lloyd George speaks at Leeds not Newcastle on Saturday. THE DTEHRADS. tßoceived this day at 1.80 p.m.) LONDON, Oct. 17 Lord Salisbury, leader of the Diehards addressed Conservative members of both Houses Lord Chiracn was present. Lord Salisbury said he could r-I agree with Hon Chamberlain’s Birmingham views. Government’s ex-

travacrnnco, abandonment of authority in India, Egypt, and tho deplorable renditions in Ireland wore notorious and Uio Conservatives could not longer I e responsible for such political events. The crisis such ns we had just nass-d through was a discredit to our f-'i-.j.rn policy. The Conservatives as a party were entitled • to reconsider their position. They wanted a united Conservative-Unionist party.