The Conservative Rally.

Hokitika Guardian, 21 October 1922, Page 3

The Conservative Rally.

CARLTON CLUB MEETING

DECISION OF THE PARTY

AC.STIIAU.VX and n.z. cable association

(Received this day at 8 a.m.) LONDON, October 19At the Carlton Club. Sir A. Balfour strongly urged the meeting to support Mr Chamberlain. Mr Leslu Wilson said if the Conservatives we,c returned with a considerable majority he- would not be prepared to serve under a Liberal Premier. The Conservatives would lie broken like the Liberals if they continued the Coalition. Mr Wilfrid Ashley asked whether the voters for the motion would be voting for a Tory Premier. Mr Chamberlain said he certainly understood the motion excluded the possibility of any hut a Tory Premier. After the vote, Mr Chamberlain said he and his friends would consider the position. , , A letter has been issued, signed by Mr Chamberlain, Lord Birkenhead, Sir A Balfour, Sir R- Horne, Worthington Evans, Lee, Crawford, Pollock. Murray Scott, Mitchell, Thomson 0,1mair and Gibbs, stating that while the Conservative resolution was not expressed in such terms that it might be modified to secure agreement, it was absolutely, plain that the authors regarded it as involving all Ministers m an undertaking to notify Mr Lloyd George that under no circumstances would the Conservatives, if it rested with them, consent to his retaining the Premiership, after a successful election, to the result of which his party might have contributed. , AAe could not be the bearers of such a message. After paying a high tribute to Mr Lloyd George, the letter concludes—The exertions of all Conservatives will be required if we are to defeat the legislative proposals for disruptive of the economic, financial system in the country. We remain Conservative Unionists. No Conservative Government need fear factious opposition at our hands, but we cannot believe the principles we hold with a majority at to-day meeting will be promoted bv the course they are firmly resolved to pursue.

AN HISTORICAL MEETING

HOW THE COALITION DIED

(Received this clay at a.m.) LONDON, October 19. The Coalition died under dramatic circumstances. A big crowd gathered at Pall Mall. The public fully appreciated the significance of the meeting. Thousands watched Cabinet Ministers arriving at Carlton Club, one conspicuous group cheering Hon A. Bonar Law and “booing” Mr Chamberlain, who turned in astonishment on hearing the cry “traitor”, as he left his ear. There were also several cries of “Jiulns” when Lord Birkenhead appeared.

There was a sensational incident inside the Club over the exclusion of Conservatives Peers and Independent Conservative Commoners. The aged Lord Chaplin whom two policemen lifted from a taxi-cab, mounted the steps of the Club, with the aid of two sticks and sought admission to the meeting, hut was refused. Mr Erskine (Independent Conservative) angrily attempted to force his way into the meeting hut Capt. King, the junior AVhip, barred the entrance. Admiral Sueter was similarly barred.

Afr Chamberlain presided. He had Sir A. Balfour. Sir R. Horne, and Air Lee on his right and Lord Birkenhead, Air Baldwin and Hon. Bonnr Law on his left.,

Mr Chamberlain received a generous reception, but was obviously ill at ease. He spoke for twenty minutes. His arguments generally were far from telling. There was excitement when Air Baldwin in a speech showed the strength of the Conservative feeling against the Coalition. Sir Henry Craig who followed Baldwin, was also hostile. The real climax of meeting was speeches by Hon. Bonar Law and Mr Leslie Wilson, the chief Coalition Unionist AVhip. Astonishment was-caused when the latter announced he would only serve a Conservative Premier. The cordiality of the reception accorded Mr Bonar Law was a marked contrast to the hike warm cheering following Afr Chamberlain’s speech. Mr Bonnr Law spoke for fifteen minutes. There was a hurricane of applause when he declared in favour of ending the Coalition and announced his intention of voting for Air Pretty man’s resolution that the party should go to polls as Conservatives with their own policy. Before the motion was put. Mr Chamberlain rose and intimated to the meeting that they must understand that the motion would be regarded as a vote of censure, and Unionist Ministers could not continue in office.

Every mein her was given n card on which he recorded his vote. When the figures were announced, cheers were hoard from Pall Mall, where the crowd was awaiting the result of the meetjng. Am cttamtverlatat staggered

(Received tliis (lav at P a. 111.) LONDON, October 19. Mr Chamberlain and his associates seemed staggered by the overwhelming nature of the defeat. There is little doubt the result of the Newport election was largely responsible for tbe decisive vote. The Newport result was interpreted by Conservative circles to menu that the Conservatives had an

excellent chance of defeating Labour at the general election-, if not hampered by Mr Lloyd George’s past and the errors of the Coalition.

Mr Lloyd George heard the nows from Sir Phillip Sassoon who was the first man to leave Carlton. He jumped into a car and drove straight to Downing Street.

From Pall Mall, the interest shifted to Street where Mr Lloyd George’s ear was ready for any emergency. Directly- after Sassoon’s visit, Mr Lloyd George received Mr Chamberlain, Birkenhead, Evans, Horne, Leslie and "Wilson who handed in their resignations. Mr Lloyd George called a Cabinet meeting for three o’clock and announced his intention of resigning which Cabinet approved. Mr Lloyd George then had a consultation with some Liberal friends until four, when lie went to Buckingham Palace.

Liberal Ministers met in the evening and passed a resolution recording their appreciation of the courage of Mr Chamberlain, Sir A. Balfour and others who supported the principles of national unity.

PROGRESS OF CRISTS. (Received this rPv at R.RO a.m.l LONDON. Oct 20. As Mr Boner Law is no longer Leader rf the Conservatives, "be in formed the King that he must firs* consult b.is party to ascertain whether be lias their confidence. A meeting of Conservative Commoners and I’ccrs during the week end will therefore be the next outstanding development. Doubtless Mr Bonnr Law will be elected Leader, and be in a position in form n Government in accordance with the King’s invitation. Mr Honar Law on Thursday nigin interviewed Lord Derby and other .supporters. Meanwhile Mr Lloyd George is technically Premier, and will keep bis engagements. He will accompany the Prince of Wales on Friday to Guildhall and also spepk at I ccds on Saturday.

.Mr Lloyd George is personally against the continental group system, believing largo parties afford a more stable Government. He is therefore understood to bo in l-'vour of avoiding the immediate i rca.t.iou of a new party. Mrs Lloyd George, speaking at East ham on Thursday night said : —‘A on can take it that ’ whatever happens in the present crisis ,my husband is quite ready. He loves a light. His health improves and spirit goes up wheni a fight is going on. A light is like a tonic. Mrs Asquith interviewed, said the defeat of the Coalition is very amusing. There is an interesting situation in connection with the Irish Constitution, which must he ratified hefoio December (sth., hut there is no leason to believe Mr Bonnr Law wiU attempt to wreck the Irish s' 11 lentent. Sir .fames Craig in Ulster Commons said Ulster thoriiglily approves of the selection of Mr Bonar Law. who will he an intensely popular Premier.

The leading newspapers are unanimous in attributing Lloyd wcoigi s and .Mr ( 'biunhcrhiin’s defeat to Ml Bonnr Law’s d. isne pronouncement. They emphasise his grave responsibility in the formulation ot a policy in maintenance of traditions. None anticipate the crisis will end with Mr Bonar Law’s assumption of oll.ee „> or with the election of a new Commons. DRAMATIC. HAPPENINGS. PRESS OPINIONS. (Received this day at P.dU «. "•> LONDON, October 20. The “Daily Telegraph” says seldom in party history has anything so dramatically unforseei, been witnessed. The next few days will be eventful. We are only in the first stage of a change, whereof some startling developments are conceivable. The “Morning Post” anticipating the policy of the Conservative Government. says when established, il the New Government is wise and strong enough it might make the-Irish treaty conditio,,;,l on the re-estnblisment ot civilisation on Christian ideals. In delimit. all that’s Lest in Ireland will cry out for the re-establishment of the Union. Tlie “Daily Express" states the meeting saved the Conservative Party, whose main battle-cry will be pence abroad and tranquility at home. Its first mission is to make peace with Turkey, recall the armies from Constantinople and Mesopotamia and cease to protect the Jewish Republican autocracy.

The “Daily Chronicle” says many people at Home and abroad will seek an assurance regarding continuity of certain cardinal policies. AA’e forecast some with confidence. Two points, firstly, no change in orientation will he tried in regard to foreign affairs. Critics of Lloyd George in France and elsewhere who hope on a change of Go!,'eminent, will he disappointed. Secondly, the Irish treaty must stand AA’e cannot conceive any possible Government abandoning it. The “Dn.ilv Herald” appealing to Labour to close its ranks during the general election replies spiritedly to those including AH- Cham hen-la in who accused the party of being linked with revolutionary socialism. Revolutionary Labour it certainly is. Its desire is to get down to fundamentals and tackle the causes of social evils, build up society oil .sounder foundations, but to accuse Labour of being revolutionary in the sense implied is either extremely ignorant or extremely dishonest.

The “Westminster Gazette” says in its conception of continuance' the Conli •tiuii. has been a thorough imposture. However, the present need is to look forward not backwards. \A e look to the country now to do justice between the various parties and to carry us hack to cleaner and sincere politics.