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Hokitika Guardian, 4 June 1929, Page 4

inn completed returns of the British elections give .the Laijor party at Home every cause to re.,oice. in tlie Inst piace, tiiey replace the Conservatives as the largest party in the House, .heir gains were very substantial, and their losses ol a negligible nature. On other hand,' the Conservatives lost ueavily and gained but three seats, me Lioerals wliiiie they lost JU seats gained 30, so that the net advantage is of some moment, particularly in the House as at present con.jLituted. in point of fact, the Liberals hold the balance of power, and a great responsibility is thrust on Mr ii.oyd George. One aspect of the Liberal position is the enormous vote east for the party as a whole, and the lew liberal members returned on that enormous vote, practical support of tins nature, gives Mr Lloyd George Lhe right to bargain in regard to the poncy of the party the Liberals may elect to support. On the lace of tilings we take it, that Labour will have hist preference, being the largest party, and when the heat and turmoil of the conflict has cooled off somewhat the position' will clarify itself better. Mr Ba.dwin and his. party, we believe, may be trusted to do the right thing, which will be in the direction of giving Labour its. chance. If that is njt done, then a bargain will inquire to be struck with the Liberals —if the latter are willing to coalesce, .t is more likely, hovvover, that the Liberals could secure a helping hand from Labour with policy projects which they favour as of, outstanding moment, this appears particularly to matters affecting a European settlement both ni regard to reparations and armaments, and also in respect to an industrial revival affecting employment, which might be assisted by favorable arrangements with Russia. For the present, however, all sides are busy speculating as to the why and the wherefore, and until the Liberals hold a caucus, and decide on some course of action, the general position cannot lie really clarified. The * -ting indicates that in the aggregate a change was desired, the majority against the Conservatives on the total votes cast being evidence of that fact, and this aspect may be the deciding factor in the. general situation. The Government failed to satisfy the people either by performance in tho past or promise as to the future, and the eclipse of the party lias followed.