BRITISH COALITION.

Taranaki Daily News, 1 April 1921, Page 5

BRITISH COALITION.

’ MR. BONAR LAW’S EXIT. COMMONS DEEPLY’ MOVED. London, March 20. The announcement of Mr. Bonar Law’s resignation came as a bombshell in the House of Commons on Friday. Mr. Lloyd George, in reading his ’olleague’s letter, was most affected, and frequently broke down, lhandly being able to finish hie statement. In the letter Mr. Bonar Law said: “The strain of the last few years has pressed heavily on me. As you know, I had the greatest difficulty in doing my I aip flow woja out. Medical advisers •nave’ ’warned me that my physical condition, is such that unless I .nave an immediate long rest’ early and complete breakdown will be- inevitable. (Murmurs of dismay.) “It will always be a pleasure to me to think that I have been able to > help you in the great 'W-ork you have, .done since you became Prime Minister. It is necessity which compels mo to abandon all hope of assisting you ih the difficult task 'wwlf is jKHt confronting ypul” As Mk Lloyd ‘George’s’ brokejn sentences revealed the serious nature of Mr. Bonar Law’s illness, there Were indi-! vidual and collective exclamations of sorrow arising from the deep affection entertained by all members, irrespective of party, for ‘Mr. Bonar Law, . whose leadership in the House has been distinguished by tact and unfailing temper, reconciling the* wishes of all [sections in a most masterly planner. Moreover, there have been a number of occasions when Mr. Bonar Law, in the course of a debate, had been overcome by emotion, notably in connection with the Air Force, in which he had lost a son. It was the recollection of such circumstances, together with his unstinted services to Mr. Lloyd George, which caused a display of emotion almost. unprecedented in the history of the House of Commons.

The House cheered sympathetically when Mr. Lloyd George broke down on finishing the letter. The Prime Minister said he hoped Uiat a short rest would enable Mr. Bonbr Law to return to his duties. But the medical opinion was that Mr. Bonar Law was in need of a prolonged rest and freedom from worry. Here Mr. Lloyd George was unable to master his feelings, and flung himself back in his seat with a gesture, indicating his inability to continue.

Mr. Asquith rose, and almost inaudibly referred to the unexpected and painful announcement. In all his relations, he said, Mr. Bonar Law had never left any rancour behind him. Mr. Bonar Law’s political antagonists entertained most affectionate memories of their relations with him. He hoped that on • his complete restoration to health he would re-enter the fighting ranks.

Mr. J. R. Clynes said that Labor members received the news with a feeling of deepest loss. . The Times, in a leading article, regards Mr. Bonar Law’s resignation as 'the most important home political event since the general election, bringing to the surface diverse currents and tendencies. “Mr. Lloyd George,” it says, “has no party, and Mr. Bonar Law’s self-effacement gave him control of the Conservative majority. Now "his search for a party cannot be inde.finitely postponed.”

Speculating as to the likelihood of his reverting to the left or moving to the right, the Times significantly comments: “If Mr. Lloyd George cannot dispense with the support of the Conservatives, the Conservatives may find it equally hard to dispense with him.” The correspondent of the Times at Dublin states that Mr. Bonar Law's resignation, having changed the leadership of the Unionists, is expected to influence Irish affairs, and it is believed that important developments are pending. «

The Sunday Times declares that Mr. Bonar Law’s resignation importantly affects Ireland. ’ Tie instinctively revolted against Irish nationalism, and his influence over Mr Lloyß George kept the latter from following his national instincts for a settlement. Mr. Bonar Law’s retirement strengthens Sir Edward Carson’s position, who is committed to the new Irish Act, but Mr. Austen Chamberlain’s views are identical with his father’s, and he will sympathise with any new plan for a settlement. Mr. Lloyd George, unfettered, is capable of solving the Irish problem. Other newspapers, discussing Mr. Lloyd George’s political future, expects a revival of last year’s project for a new Centre Party, with Mr Lloyd George as leader, as the likeliest contingency. The Sunday Express states that the Labor Party is hurrying on its plans for a possible general election. It intend? to contest 500 seats, accepting the challenge thrown down by Mr. Lloyd George on Thursday in his speech at tlie 1920 Club dinner.