MR. LLOYD GEORGE.

Taranaki Daily News, 16 February 1922, Page 5

MR. LLOYD GEORGE.

RESIGNATION RUMORS. GOSSIP IN THE HOUSE. A POLITICAL CRISIS. By Tslacrapb.—Press Assn.—Copyriebt. Received Feb. 15, 9 p.m. London, Feb. 14. It is rumored in the lobbies that Mr. Lloyd George intends to resign shortly. The Westminster Gazette states the rumor emanates from Coalition-Liberal circles, and interprets it as a threat intended to frighten the Conservatives, through fear of facing the election without Mr. Lloyd George’s leadership. The Daily News states that the Government is gravely disquieted over the increasing Conservative unrest. Mr. Collins and Sir James Craig’s boundary differences and the raids and shootings in Ulster have strengthened the Conservative “diehards,” with the result that a first-class political crisis is possible when the Irish Treaty Bill is debated to-day. Besides Captain Craig’s amendmept, the “diehards” have tabled an amendment, refusing to proceed with the Bill until the murders, outrages and kidnappings in Ireland cease and the attacks against Ulster’s people and boundaries have been definiteley abandoned and the kidnapped people released. Mr. Bonar Law, speaking in Glasgow, said that though he felt better than for many years, due to his freedom from worry and responsibility, he did not wish nor intend to join any Government, but he hoped as a private member to interest himself in current politics. The Governments of this and every country were now in deep waters, and it was inevitable in such circumstances that they should become unpopular. But he refused to believe that the members of the present Government were on a lower plane than the critics who were anxious to supplant them. He would not be a party to trying to effect a change, for the present was a time for supporting and not attacking the Government. —Aus.N.Z. Cable Assn.