CRISIS IN POLITICS.

Taranaki Daily News, 6 March 1922, Page 5

CRISIS IN POLITICS.

LLOYD GEORGE'S PLANS. WILL HE RESIGN? HINT OF RETIREMENT. CONFERS WITH MINISTERS. Ej Telerraph.—Press Assn.—Copyright. Received March 4, 5.5 pjn. London, March 3. Much interest was taken in Mr. Austen Chamberlain’s speech at the Carlton Club, Oxford. He said the country was being told that the Coalition was tottering to its fall, but that conception was far from the truth, and the best thing was to talk franklv. • When I succeeded Mr. Bon ar Law,’* proceeded Mr. Chamberlain, “the Prime Minister repeated to me that statement which he had already made to my predecessor—that it ought to be common knowledge that when Mr. Asquith resigned Mr. Lloyd George did not seek the Premiership; he offered to serve under Mr. Bonar Law or Mr. Balfour, but both thought it was in the interest of the country that Mr. Lloyd George should have the Premiership, arid he took it on their request.” Mr. Chamberlain added: “Mr. Lloyd George told me the other day that H we felt the interests of the country would be better served by a return to party government he would gladly retire. Mr. Lloyd George would not take my answer, and he told me to confer formally with my party and let him have their reply. He added that the wave of unrest and differences of opinion are distracting the Coalition.” Mr. Chamberlain continued: “We have replied to Mr. Lloyd George, and told him that we think the interests of the country would not be advanced but rather retarded by his resignation. (Prolonged cheers.) Those who worked with Mr. Lloyd George and his Liberal colleagues felt that to accept his offer would be to betray stability, which it is the duty of the Conservative Party to preserve.” Mr. Chamberlain added that instead of Parliament consisting of two great parties and the Government alternating with the change of public opinion, we are confronted with the danger of many groups in which no group has a majority. A small party holding the balance of power is a danger to the State, for it has power without responsibility. If the Governments of this country were to be at the mercy of groups, so that they change with the seasons, and so that the country might be without a Government for weeks in the midst of very important national business, we would lose our foremost position in the counsels of Europe. Sir L. Worthington Evans, speaking at Colchester, said the Premier had offered to retire, but said he would support the Conservatives in carrying out their unfinished programme. All Conservative members of the Cabinet assured Mr. Lloyd George of their support, and begged him to continue. He (the speaker) hoped he would continue, but they could not expect him to bear the immense burdens unless they backed up the leaders in supporting Mr. Lloyd George. The Daily Chronicle’s political correspondent says the crisis in the Coalition is still very serious. He writes: “I hear that Mr. Lloyd George, when leaving for The Chequers (his country house) used an expression which his friends construe to mean that he doubted whether he would return to Downing Street. Mr. Chamberlain and other Ministers will visit The Chequers on Saturday to discuss the position.” On the other hand, two-thirds of the Conservative Commoners privately passed a resolution that they will support the Coalition, and another meeting will be held on Tuesday to discuss a motion declaring that the next election must be fought on the Conservative national programme common to adherents of the Government, and that can best be done under the joint leadership of Mr. Lloyd George and Mr. Chamberlain. An important discussion is proceeding regarding the applicability of proportional representation to the situation.—Aus.-N.Z. Cable Assn. A PLEA FOR UNITA’. DIVISIONS LEAD TO DEFEAT. MR. CHURCHILL’S WARNING. Received March 5, 11.5 p.m. London, March 4. Mr. Winston Churchill, speaking at Loughborough, had a mixed reception. He said it was evident there was going to be a considerable political battle, and he asked: “Will it be fought according to a well-made plan by the leaders of an organised army, or will it be what is called a soldiers' battle, where there is no plan of cohesion or organisation, or unity of command, and where the generals ar? engaged in quelling insubordination? That kind of battle makes a great difference to success and to the number of casualties.” He hoped wisdom would prevail, and they would enter the battle under trusted leaders against the growing peril of Communism. He looked forward to the time when the Coalition would become a strong, united and permanent national party.— Aus.-N.Z. Cable Assn. REVOLT BY CONSERVATIVES. PREMIER STILL UNSATISFIED. HIS. DECISION TO-MORROW. Received March 5, 11.5 p.m. London, March 5. I’he speeches of Mr. Austen Chamberlain and Sir L. Worthington Evans assuring Mr. Lloyd George of the personal loyalty of the Conservative leaders and the belief that his resignation would be against the national interests do not meet Mr. Lloyd George’s demand that discipline be maintained in the Conservative ranks and freedom from attack, which the leaders seem powerless to enforce. Thougn the Conservative Commoners who are revolting against the Coalition number only eighty there is a widespread revolt throughout the country amongst local organisations, which refuse to s / ort Coalition candidates and demand a revival of party distinctions. Nevertheless Mr. Lloyd George may .consent to carry on unti’ the impending general election. His decision will be announced on Tuesday.—Aue.-N.Z. Cable Assn.