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Hokitika Guardian, 11 December 1922, Page 2

No one is better qualified than Mr T-loyd George to play the part of Sir Oracle lor Europe in these times when the nations are in the throes of international settlements. All* Lloyd George has both (lie knowledge and the vision to understand the situation and read the signs of the times aright, to Saturday s issue lie began tho review of Fra neo-German events, and it must be admitted that he presented a luminous review of the difficult international position. France does not like Air Lloyd George and its press have passed severe judgment upon him. hut it is impossible to read his plain, unvarnished statement of the ease without realising that ho lias an inward knowledge of the determining factors affecting the inter-relations of the two countries and can perceive how the troubles of the past might recur in the future if effective safeguards are not provided now while there is the opportunity to set them up peacefully. Just as Mr Lloyd George has been a wonderful asset for the British Empire, so it must he realised _ that he is of the greatest value to Europe, for it was his overmasterv at ninny of the councils of the nations which helped to patch up the peace as far as it has gone, and to keep in the forefront the main desire to assure peace for the future. This of course could not he accomplished by a stroke of the pen, nor at the dictum of one man—however powerful he might he. The reason for the failure to attain complete success was the lack of cohesion among tho Allies and the failure to hack up one another in a concerted manner. We had the trouble revested quite recently in the Near Fast fmseo. No doubt Mr Tflovd George’s articles will further trace out the position, and assist fo reveal the European situation more deafly te

the general public, It Will be a Very useful service, indeed, if it can accomplish such a Tesult. Tim latest figures in regard to the ' parliamentary elections indicate the strength of parties in the new House | as follows : Reform 68 Liberals 24 Labor 16 Independents ■■■ 2 60 The independents are Alessrs Statham and Jordon (Alanukau) both with Lib-

eral leanings. Reform won three constituencies, hut lost fourteen. The ■Liberals won twelve and lost six, while |.abur won seven additional seats, four of which were city electorates. The severe set-hack which Reform has received makes it very doubtful if Re- j form' can carry on. Mr Alassey has to appoint a Speaker, which, apparently, will leave his party ill a hopeless minority. It is in these circumstances that despite all the obloquy heaped on the Liberals, the Reform press aild leaders are calling oil the alleged ‘‘down and iou:t.” Liberals to come over ail'd help. It is rather a pretty mess of things Air ATassey and his abject followers have made of polities. Reformers in Westland now recognise how they were misled, but what happened hero was just part of a set campaign to hoodwink the gullible. Reform must have driven a good few permanent nails into its coffin last Thursday. And to show how the Reform following was specially fooled in Westland, we have only to quote Mr Steer’s remarks at Grsymouth on the night of the poll when he is reported by the Grey Star .to have said :—“As for himkeif it was better lie should not be. elected as he had other tilings to interest him:” The nineteen hundred and odd voters iii Westland who polled for Air Steer oh Thursday must feel very small now about their votes when their candidate puts the estimate he did on their support. The statement seems to indicate that Reform was out deliberately not to win the soat. but to defeat the Liberal. The result may be* magnificent to those who accomplished the task, hut it is not- polities—it is not playing the grsme—and many of the nineteen hundred are now coming to that point of view. But it is now the national situation which is of prime interest. AVitli the hopes of Reform so badly shattered, the Liberals alone can save the situation for the country. Those who have llot short memories will recall how the Liberals saved the political position for the Reformers in war time when succouring the country through the National Cabinet. The Liberals had scant thanks for that sacrifice and self-effacement and if they hesistate now to rush in to rescue punctured Reform, Afr Massey’s personal tactics in the late general election would he sufficient excuse for refusing to turn the other cheek.