British Politics.

Hokitika Guardian, 19 October 1922, Page 2

British Politics.

«TJRT!UUAN AND N.Z. CABLE ASSOCIATION. NOT A CANDIDATE. (Received this day at 8 a.in.) LONDON, Oct 18. Lord Cecil Harmswortli has notified his constituency that lie is not standing at tlie next election. He desires to make room for a younger man. CONSERVATIVE VIEW. (Received this day at 8 a.in.) LONDON. Oct 18. Lord Long at Hammersmith said:— Personally I firmly believe in the

Coalition", hut cabinet disguise from myself that there is a deep-seated feeling among workers of the Conservative party that there ought to he a Conservative Prime Minister. This conviction arises front no feeling against Mr Lloyd Georga and does not come from above, but from the rank and file of tils party. We must not smash up the Conservative party in a hurry. ! A LABOUR VIEW.

. (Received this tlav at 8 a.m.) LONDON, Oct 18. 1 Mr Henderson, speaking at Newport on the election said the Coalitions disruption was inevitable. To ■ lighten the burden of the national * debt, the Labour party would create a war debt redemption fund by a levy on accumulated wealth, In-ginning at fortunes of five thousand. I THE PREMIER’S INTENTION/ UNITED SERVICE TELEGRAMS (Received this dnv at 8 a.m.) LONDON, Oct 17. ’Uhc “Daily Mail” states the* Premier addressing the Coalition Liberal members of the Government gave im- | portant information about future political development. It is stated the issue still depends entirely on the result of the' Unionists meeting on Thursday, hut is now narrowed down to two alternatives. If the meeting supports Mr Chamberlain’s plea for a continuance of the Coalition there will be an immediate dissolution. If it rejects the advice of Mr Chamberlain with other pro-Coalition Conservative leaders ho will resign from the Conservative Party. The Premier and Governniont will then resign from the Government. ,It will then be open to Independent Conservatives to form a new Government if they wish. The inevitable result, in cither case, is an immediate election, since no Conservative Ministry could carry on in the face of the: Opposition created by the defections. The Premier added that lie was convinced lie could - command a large majority at the elections. He intended to appeal to the electors for the continued co-operation of Conservatives and Liberals oil the grounds that stability was still needed in the conduct of the Government.

LLOYD GEORGE’S HOPES. LONDON, October 17. Mr Lloyd George opened the Port of London Authority's palatial new offices at Tower Hill. The guests included many Cabinet Ministers and Ambassadors. Mr Lloyd George said that though this build was being opened in a time of trade depression, the tide was turning. They could look forward to much better times and more prosperity. \

A LIBERAL CRITIC,

(Received this dav at 10.30 a.m.) LONDON. Oct 18.

Air Gladstone at the National Liberal Club replying to the Prime Minister’s attack,’tenlid lie at any rate never turned, his coat. T.t was rash on Air Lloyd George’s part to raise the question of clothing, when lie himself was alternating between a coat of many colours and a brand now Alidlothin.n mantle, made for the occasion. However, tiie Liberals were not prepared to accept Air Llovd George s policy. The fact was tint Kaiser of Downing Street- was too intolerant of criticism. He was the man who stabbed Liberalism in the hack.

THE COMTXG KI.F.CTION. LONDON. Oct 17

The newspapers are full of speculations in regard to the political situation. . . . Despite Air Lloyd George’s mdclinpte announcements (at Manchester, events moved rapidly during the weekend towards a quick ending of the suspense. This was reached in favour of an election at a dinner given by Mr W. Churchill. Whether the Coalition will go to the electors as one party or two. was however, left undecided. The approaching general election will Ik- the shortest political struggle ever held in Britain, and-will return the smallest House of Commons foi over a century, owing to the Irish jjYec State’s inauguration. The Representation of the People Act, 1918 increased the membership ot the House cf Commons to 707, but the establishment of the Free State reduces Ireland’s representation at Westminster to 13, representing Ulster exclusively, and this reduces the Commons to 015. - It is considered that a stable Government will be impossible unless some par tv, or group of parties, commands at least 325 votes. Estimates by all parties expect Labour ,to be the second la Uiuler ß Tlm Franchise Act, 1918 all polls must be taken on the same daj a,ul on the following day, practically the whole constitution of the new Commons will he known. The whole campaign from between the dissolution and the declaration of the polls will last three weeks.