MR LLOYD GEORGE.

Hokitika Guardian, 23 November 1922, Page 2

MR LLOYD GEORGE.

AUSTRALIAN AND N.Z. CABLE ASSOCIATION.

LONDON, November 21. The Australian Press Association has secured for exclusive publication in Australia and New Zealand articles by , Air Lloyd George reviewing the elections. The ex-Premier premises tlie articles by stating it is the duty of every patriotic citizen in view of the difficulties with wlich the country is confronted to assist the Government of the day by every means at his disposal. The article proceeds—The Conservatives succeeded in obtaining a return of a majority of their members, but a notable feature of the elections is the return of a decisive majority of members by a very infinite minority of electors. The Prime Minister claimed lie had received a vote of confidence from the people of the country, but out of a total poll of fifteen millions, his candidates secured less -than six millions, which means that two fifths voted confidence in the administration while three fifths voted confidence in other leaders, or groups. The result could hardly he claimed as a vote of I confidence. It might he argued that the National Liberals having promised to co-operate with the Government, their votes ought not to be placed oil the debit side. Air Lloyd George quotes at length the conditions and measure of support laid down ! by him and the National Liberals, promised to the Government, and clqims that such support cannot be claimed ill totalling votes recorded for the Government. He stressed the fact that only forty per cent of the electors voted for the Government, because it is likely to have a profound effect upon tlie lifetime of this Parliament. It was tlie first time since the Reform Act was passed, that a pronounced minority succeeded in securing control j of Parliament, and the Government. It would be idle to pretend that this does not weaken the moral authority of the Government, therefore if the Government is wise, it will hear the fact in mind and not commit itself to policies which challenge the nine millions who represent the minority.

UNDER-REPRESENTATION. LONDON, November 21. Mr Lloyd George’s article continues: “The curious working of our electoral system is found in under-representation of the other parties in the present Parliament. Therefore, unless representative Government is to lie discredited altogether, the present Parliament ought at once to devote its mind, and to direct its energies, to the discovery of a method to avert the danger which undoubtedly arises from the working of the present system. AVe are faced with a. new danger to constitutional government. If we are to he governed by a succession of administrations who rule in spite of protest by the majority, then the authority of the Government will he weakened beyond repair. Referring to the Labour Party, Air Lloyd George said that they had secured many seats hv a minority of votes. Conditions were in rnmiy respects against them. Their funds were exhausted by the prolonged unemployment. The Trade Union movement- is passing through an ehl» tide of prosperity, both in funds and in members. Aloreover Labour lias been committed by visionaries to rash experiments which handicapped it- severely in the election. A T et their votes reached the gigantic aggregate of 4,500,000.

Whatever Labour’s difficulties wore in the late election, they were not comparable with those under which Liberalism fought the campaign. It was divided by internecine conflicts. As soon as the Coalition broke, it was clearly ordained that the Coalition Liberals should be crushed out. This lamentable decision lost at least 40 Liberal seats, and gave the Conservatives a majority. Thus no real fight was put up for Liberal principles on either side. Nevertheless, electionally Liberalism is the balancing power, and if it- casts its united strength against either reaction or reversion, its influence must be decisive. If a sinceie desire is manifested to substitute co-operation for conflict, my colleagues and I will welcome it. The election will have taught many in the Labour Party that violent and extravagant proposals impede progress. If the limits are not too narrowly drawn, this Parliament may witness "an effective association of men of many parties, genuinely concerned for the advancement of mankind along tlie paths of peace and progress.

The National Liberals at the elect : on unlike the other great parties, inherited no political machinery, and no machinery could be built up in three weeks, yet in spite of these adverse—even paralysing conditions, our numbers are twice those of the Independent Liberals. LLOYD GEORGE UNWELL. LONDON, November 21. Mr Lloyd George is suffering from a cold, and has not yet attended the House of Commons.