BRITISH POLITICS.

Hokitika Guardian, 24 October 1922, Page 2

BRITISH POLITICS.

Lloyd George's Speech

and n.z. cable association LONDON, Oct 20. Mr Lloyd George’s journey to Leeds was broken at Bedford. Mr Lloyd George thanked his supporters there for coming in such numbers' “to greet one of the unemployed.” (Laughter). Referring to the fact that Bedford was John Bunyan’s town, he said, that he was glad to find that in the country there was no end of “greatheants” and faithfuls.” “With them,” ho added, “I am going to battle!”

Responding to a welcome at Kettering, ho said:—“The people of Britain do not easily forget those who have striven hard for them. We mean to put the interests of the nation before any party gain.” At Nottingham, Mr Lloyd George said:—“l and the ablest and most experienced leaders of the Conservative Party, are standing for “the country first.” When the country is through its trouble, we will have a dog fight.” At Leicester, the Premier made play with phrase “The New Carlton Club.” Hci said their order was “Our Party First!” He added:—lt is small wonder that Lord Balfour, Lord Birkenhead, Mr Chamberlain, Sir R. Horne and many others, whose loyalty to the Conservative Party cannot he shallenged, are all standing for the country first, and decline to carry out the Carlton Club’s order.

Amazing enthusiasm reached a climax at Sheffield. A crowd rushed the carriage, trying to shake hands.

At Leeds the train was welcomed by a Welsh Choir, singing. “Land of Our Fathers.”

Mr Lloyd George stood bareheaded until the singing ceased. A vast crowd outside the station cheered as iie drove away. SPEECH AT LEEDS. Mr Lloyd George had a great reception at Leeds. The hall was unable to hold half the applicants for admission. The audience cheered and sang. Mr Lloyd George lengthily reviewed and vigorously defended the Cabinet’s achievements. He said:—The banner of party strife was raised at the Carltop Club. The great combination of men of all parties and creeds which led the nation to victory in the war, and were gradually, hut surely leading it out of trouble, had ended, not because it ceased to serve the Nation, but because a Party was not getting enough ouit of it-, it was for the peopla to decide whether party or . the Nation came first. “I stand,” he declared, “for the people. The time has come for a calm and dispassionate review of wliiit the combination formed in 191 C had accomplished. If it hits not served the Nation, let the Nation condemn it. If it hvs served the people well, and helped the country to achieve something, treat it fairly and well. There never was a combination that worked harder for the country. During the last six years, when criticism was pouring in upon me. 1 had no time to tell the- people the real story. 1 have a little more time now. T am one of the unemployed. The war was not a bad test of statesmanship. I have done a few things in peace f took it lending pltr.t in establishing old age pensions, health insurance, the. Treaty of Versailles and the League- of Nations. The huge army that darkened the horizon of Europe, has gone. Although we have not rid Europe of the burden of armaments that was tin first act of the great drama ot peace, it was a human charter, which wil h acclaimed more and more as the years pass The- next task we undertook was the re-establishment of the national credit. It would have bee'll no use to have followed the course of borrowing. That would mean less unemployed for the moment, but more unemployment three or four years hence. The Government followed the unpopular course of balancing the- budget, and making the patriot '\’ c wo cut down the army, the n.n>, a d the civil service, we had no end ot opposition We have done it, but we CTno votes.” He said that as a result of reducing its expenditure;. Bnt"iu was the only counry in Europe that succeeded in balancing hudgeC Thci result of that course was that the credit of the country had risen. "<? were beginning to look the doHnr in the face on equal terms. Me had recaptured the money market of the Iw wer.f i.-iS SZlty, but with real courage. They took tiio unpopular course, >oc ‘ they knew it was ngnt.

POLITICAL AHF.AVS. (Received this day at 8 a.m.) ( LONDON, October 22nd

Lord Derby’s plea for a Conservative reunion found a significant echo in the speeches of two members of t-tte late Government. Air Murray, one of the signatories to Mr Chamberlain s declaration. declared he believed no permanent obstacle would he presented to a complete reunion at an early date, of the two wings of the Conservatives. Mr Griffith Boscawen announced ho would give whole hearted support to Mr Bonar Law, and lie saw no reason why the whole party should not be reunited and win a Greek Conservative victory. Mr Bonar Law had an audience with the King last evening, and reported the progress of his Cabinet making. He also presented his views on the question of a dissolution. LONDON, October 22.

Hen. AAL Churchill’s continued belief in the possibility of a centre party is expressed iti a letter to his constituents, in which he declares lie intends to stand as a- Liberal Free Trader, but hopes to co-operate freely with the sober minded Progressive Conservatives in defending the country and Empire against the Socialist-Communist menace on the one hand, and downright reaction on the other.

GENERAL TOAVNSHEND AS CRITIC (Received this day at S a.m.) LONDON, October 22. Writing in tlio Pall Mall Gazette, General Townshend says Air Uoyd George’s Manchester speech will not convince anyone that the Cabinet 1 not committed every blunder in the Near East- that time and opportunity permitted. Air Lloyd George was responsible for the Greek invasion of Turkey and subsequently the Greek defeat. British honour suffered severely for the Greek treachery in launching an offensive, of which Mr Lloyd George was well aware, in the middle of peace negotiations in London. If it was necessary to land a force at Ghanak, as a political protest, marines and bluejackets might hnvo been employed

without costing Britain thirty millions sterling for hiring ships and rushing out- troops. Townshend says: “On my return from Angora, I gave Mr Lloyd George, a memorandum written after interviews with Kenial in which a peace acceptable to Kemal was stated. This is proven that when. Dir Lloyd George was dramatically calling upon the Dominions to save the Straits arid ordering reinforcements, he was perfectly aware that the Turks were willing that the Allies should hold the Straits. One reason for the French and Italian, withdrawal of troops was Mr Lloyd George’s announcement that if Kemal advanced on Constantinople the troops would be reinforced, without consulting the Allies. Mr Lloyd George failed to disclose that lie had invited Serbians to send, troops to Constantinople. The Serbians . declined. Such an occupation would have set Islam alight immediately.

GREAT DEMONSTRATIONS. (Received this day at 8 a.m.) LONDON October 22.

There were further demonstrative gatherings on Mr Lloyd George’s departure from Leeds. As the special flew past the stations en route to London. The “Observer” says Mr Lloyd George at large and unmuzzled, appeals to millions of enormously increased electors, whose political affinities are relatively unfixed. AVe expect lrim to do very well and will not he surprised if lie is returned with fifty personal followers in the next Parliament, but unless some new compact can he framed, he will subtract from the Wee Frees and Labour more than from the Unionists.