British Politics.

Hokitika Guardian, 24 October 1922, Page 1

British Politics.

AUSTRALIAN AND N.2. CABLE ASSOCIATION. ' FRENCH PRESS COMMENT. PARIS, Oct 20. All tho French newspapers express deep appreciation of Lloyd George’s war services. At the same time titty are unanimously relieved at his departure. They anticipate that improved Anglo-French relations will follow, whatever the colour of tke new Government that is formed in Britain. “Le Journal” says: “We must go hack to the days of Bismarck to find an international event comparable with Mr Lloyd George’s fall. Both men succumbed to a pride that was intoxicated by success.” “La Figaro” says: “France has cruelly suffered from Mr Lloyd George’s changes and and she can hardly regret his fall.” “L’Oeuvre” remarks: “It is opportune to point out Hint at last all the makers of the Versailles Treaty have* now departed, and it should be fairly easy now to revise it. M. Poincare will <lo everything possible to facilitate a reconciliation, which will be our best, guarantee against war.” “l.e Matin” declares: “Mr Lloyd George bad no principles, nor ethics, ■nor judgment, nor hatreds, nor affections. Ho bad only skill! He only triumphed orntoricUly. His seven years in office- have consisted of neverending legerdemain.” In wishing Mr Lloyd George “Good night,” “be Matin” concludes: “May it be; a long one! May we never see you again !”

GERMAN PRESS COMMENT. BERLIN, Get 20. The “Tageblatt.” says: “The British crisis is disturbing, not only for Britain, but for the whole world. For us, it is a deplorable one, as it means now and more unfavourable decisions against Germany.” The “Vossichti Zeitung” attributes Mr Lloyd George’s fall to bis Near East policy. The “Lokal Anzeiger,” a Nationalist organ, interprets the fall of Mr Lloyd George, as M. Poincare's triumph. The “AUgomeine Zeitung (Hugo Stinnes’ paper) welcomes Mr Lloyd George’s exit. The “Vorwaerts,” on the contrary, regrets the loss of Mr Lloyd George as that “of one of the most eminent statesmen of modern times.”

Ml! LLOYD GEORGE’S FAREWELJ LONDON. October 31.

Large crowds farewell Mr Lloyd George in London oil his departure for Leeds, including some ex-ministers. Responding to calls for a speech, Mr Lloyd George said:—“l am a free man. The burden is off my shoulders, Imt my sword is in mv hand.”

Sir Alfred Mond, in a, message to tho .Swansea Liberals, said that Mr Lloyd George would go to the country as a Liberal.

The ■ start of Mr Lloyd George’s triumphal progress to Leeds is recalling the opening of Mr Gladston’s famous Midlothian campaign. A great gathering of Welshmen were among tho croud at St. Pancr.is Station, and shouted greetings in Welsh. The Premier travelled in a special train car. which was garlanded with chrysanthemums .

One hundred Liberal members and Liberal candidates accompanied tho Premier and his wife. The enthusiasm ot the crowd was so great that it was impossible to get the train away until Mr Lloyd George responded to the cries of ■ “speech.” Standing at the open door of his carriage, he issued a dramatic cal] to arms. Everything was carefully stage-managed.

Welcomes to the Premier were arranged at many stoppages en route.

CONSERVATIVE'S INTENTIONS LONDON, October 20.

It is understood Air Bonnr Law, after the Conservative Party meeting on .Monday, will ask the King for an immediate dissolution. This is in order that the new parliament may deal with the constitution of the Irish Free State before December oth. If a Government is constituted by the Conservatives early in the week.

a- dissolution may be possible on Friday. The polling may be held on the 18th. of November.

All idea of a new Centre Party lias been now abandoned. Air Lloyd George and the ex-Ministers who are supporting are said to realise that- thiwoukl ho courting disaster. Air LI oyd George and his Liberal friends will appeal to the country as Liberal Free Traders, while the Conservative minority who have been following Air Lloyd George will attend as Conservatives, who. like the Lloyd Georgeitos, will advocate a renewal of the alliance between the two parties.

Mr Chamberlain and his friends cannot avail themselves of the aid of the Liberal or Conservative machines. The Party papers are forecasting the new Ministry. The forecasts differ widely, ow'ing to the number of new men. Afanv of the former Unionist ATinisters, who are standing b v Mr Lloyd George are ineligible. It is therefore generally agreed that Lord Cnrzon, Lord Derby and Lord fjalisIxiry will lie the chief Afinisters in the House of Lords. Mr Bonnr Law, Mr S. Baldwin, Colonel Amery, Sir A. Griffith Roscawcn, and Sir Lloyd Graeme are expected to he chief ministers in the House of Commons. It is pointed out that if Parliament is summoned, instead of dissolved, the appointment of the new ministers, including Air Bonar Law, will involve about 15 bye-elections, thereby delaying a meeting of Parliament almost as much as would a general election. There are about 30 women candidates for the general election now endorsed by the respective party organisations. They include the two present women AT.P.’s Lady As tor and Airs Wintring- ( ham, and also Mrs Annie S. Swan, the novelist, Mrs Cootnbe Tennant (member of the British delegation to tile League of Nations. The wives of Sir Ashmole Cooper and Sir James Currie are standing. Eight women Labourites are standing. They include Mrs Alary McArthur and Miss Margaret Bondfleld,