HOME POLITICS.

Taranaki Daily News, 21 January 1922, Page 5

HOME POLITICS.

NO DISSOLUTION YET. UNIONIST POLICY. SPEECH BY LEADER. By Telegraph.—Press Assn.—Copyright. Received Jan. 20, 7.25 p.m. London, Jan. 19. Six hundred delegates attended the Scottish Unionists’ annual conference at Glasgow. Mr. Austen. Chamberlain, addressing the gathering at a luncheon, denied z the latest rumor that the postponement of the re-assembling of Parliament was due to a rift between Libera) and Unionist Ministers. Until the legal establishment of the Irish Provisional Government and the equipment of that Government were completed there would be no thought of a dissolution of Parliament; that decision was unanimous. The date and conditions of the elections must be decided on in the light of the progress of events and the national interests. The decision to dissolve Par* 1 iament was not necessarily a Cabinet decision, bu£ Prime Ministers had been accustomed to consult their colleagues before deciding what advice was to be given to the King and Mr. Lloyd Geqrge had followed the established constitutional usage. Mr. Chamberlain declared that as long as he had responsibility he would consider national interests first and then the interests of the party he led. If he thought the Coalition was seriously challenged in the Unionist Party he might have to reconsider his decision and come to a different conclusion. A resolution approving of the Irish treaty was adopted. Ar amendment declaring that the Government had departed from the provisions of the Government of Ireland Act in surrendering to the Sinn Fein murder gang was defeated overwhelmingly. Mr. Austen Chamberlain, addressing a public meeting in Glasgow, paid a tribute to Mr. Lloyd George’s indomitable courage in peace and war and his fertile resources, tact and diplomacy in European councils. Mt. Lloyd George was the biggest influence in Europe. Two constitutional questions awaiting settlement were Ireland and the reform of the House of Lords. He admitted that difference of opinion existed in regard to the reform of the House of Lords, but these were not on party lines. Unionists and Coalition Liberals agreed that the constitution of the House of Lords should be altered, its powers revised and its relations to the House of Commons readjusted. No one desired to create a second Chamber which would prevent the people’s will being expressed, but before the Chamber yielded it ihust be sure the people’s will was being expressed.—Aus.-N.Z. Cable Assn. *

REFORM OF THE LORDS. ‘ WHO CARES TWOPENCE.” Received Jan. 20, 9.25 p.m. London, Jan. 20. Captain Guest, speaking at a luncheon to Coalition Liberal agents in London, asked what elector cares twopence about the House of Lords. This contrasts with the Unionists’ attitude, urging reform and reveals a disinclination by Coalition Liberals to deal with the subject during the present Parliament, in which the Unionists numerically dominate the Coalition.