BRITISH ELECTIONS.

Hokitika Guardian, 11 December 1923, Page 2

BRITISH ELECTIONS.

[R ULTKItS TnUKORAMS.] A PRESS VIEW. LONDON, December 10. Mr Sharp, the editor of the “New Statesman,’’ in an article, in the “Daily News” declare-“ The .solution of the deadlock most welcome to the Labourites would he a Tory-Liberal Coalition, even if it lasts only a few months. There would he a huge defection of the Liberals to Labour. There is not the

slightest prospect of the Liberal Party tom milling suicide in this fashion.

Therefore, the Labour leaders must consider other alternatives. There is a possibility of the Conservatives remaining in office for a few months tinder a new Premier, and ai ranging for another election about June, when the Tories, fighting without the protection incubus, and able to .spend more mm oy tlian their rivals, would win some scats limn the Liberals and Labour. The second alternative b that of Labour accepting cilice, with or without a more or le>> definite Liberal promise of support. This is what Labour’s astute enemies are advocating. It is unlikely that Mr R. .MacDonald will fall into sin-h a trap, hut it would he difficult for 1 1 iin to refuse < Hire, if. as Leader oi ihe Opposition, he declines to keep the Tory Government, in power, and the Liberals spontaneously offer him support if he accepted office. Oil these tei in,s. he w ould not have re d legislative power, and he would he sent to the country discredited within a year. The tfii-d alternative is a l.iheral-l.abuul Ooalition with Labour as predominant paitner. This solution would fimost certainly prove favourable to a majority of the Liberal rank and file. It also would seem the best solution from the viewpoint of Labour and the public in-t.-re.-t. If Labour is always going to i v f Use ollire. until it has a. c lear wanking majority, and is able to carry out its own programme, it is likely to have to wait till Doomsday." The “Daily News” says: A definite alliance of tin* Conservatives and Liberals is impossible. No Liberal

would tolerate it. Half the Conservatives would icvolt. A Liberal-Labour Coalition Government would bo acceptable to neither Party, hut a working arrangement, whereby one would take office, and rely on the support of the t.ther. is within possibility. Labour Would he almost certain to refuse office without power, but probably the Liberals could govern on a progranimwhich would attract Labour support in the divison lobby. Some Labourites are psolutelv hostile to any working arrangement with the Liberals. If the laity, as a. whole adopts this view, ailether election is unavoidable. In that event. Labour may obtain, and seize, the opportunity of going to the country as the Government-.