THE BRITISH ELECTIONS.

Taranaki Daily News, 30 December 1918, Page 4

THE BRITISH ELECTIONS.

The latest figures in connection with the British elections show that the Coalition Government has secured a very large majority. This truly decisive victory for the Government that has been so largely responsible for winning the war will be welcomed in the colonies as much as in rhe Old Country, It is an emphatic expression of confidence in the past administration of Mr. Lloyd George and his colleagues, and a direction to tliem to complete the important work at hand, vihilst the defeat of Mr. Asquith, the great Liberal stalwart, Sir John Simon, the latter's consistent supporter, and the I ".bor luminaries (Messrs. Ramsay Macdonahl, Philip Snowden and A, Henderson) is evidence that the people of England have no sympathy with, policies that, had they been acted upon during the past year or two, would have led to an inconclusive and unsatisfactory peace. Both Mr. Asquith and Sir John Simon opposed the war policy of the Coalition Government, and iparticularly of its head (Mr. Lloyd George), principally be-

cause of its uncompromising and "wholelie g" character, whilst the defeated Labor l'jadets were pacifists out and wit. Their defeat is almost as gratifying as is the overwhelming success of the Coalitionists. For the past two or throe years, aftev the manner of pacifists, they have been proclaiming that the Government had lost the confidence of the country. Their judgment in this matter has now been shown'to be as faulty as was their attitude towards the war. Their retirement will be a distinct advantage to the nation, removing, as it will, men entirely out of touch with the /needs of the hour and the requirements of the future, f.nd who, when time of trial and crisis came, were found sadly wanting. Mr.

Afquilli's mental powers have made him a forceful—and oft-times compelling—figure in British politics for many years, and he has to his credit a record of service and achievement which must always command for him a high place in the estimation of his countrymen. The rar came, and with it unprecedented problems, which he was unable to> grapple with successfully, and the dialecticianphilosopher had to give way to the man of action. Perhaps it was only natural for him to oppose his successor. That I.is constituents, ever faithful to him in the past, should now unseat him only serves to prove how deep is the feeling in Britain against anything in the nature of opposition to the Coalition Government's policy The enlarged franchise—practically manhood and womanhood suffrage—gives the election a greater importance than ever, for it must of necessity more, truly represent the views of the country than did the previous resiricted franchise, and the great support given the Government can be taken as an expression of the people's desire for n peace settlement that will ensure the just punishment of Germany for her crimes, and the securing of an enduring peace, as well as the immediate,,amelioration of social conditions at home.