CRISIS IN POLITICS.

Taranaki Daily News, 7 March 1922, Page 5

CRISIS IN POLITICS.

PARTIES AT VARIANCE THE PREMIER’S PLANS. A FEW WEEKS’ REST. By Telegraph.—Press Assn.—Copyright. Received March 6, 5.5 p.m. London, March 6. The conference of Cabinet Ministers, which was originally arranged to take place at The Chequers, was cancelled, Mr. Lloyd George suddenly returning to Downing Street last night. Various political circles stress the Government’s anxiety respecting the immediate future with five by-elections pending, recalling the disasters of the last three. The Daily Chronicle admits that the gravity of the situation is emphasised by the Premier’s sudden return, and states there are increasing indications of a strain between Coalition-Liberals and Conservatives. The new quarrel is developing round Sir Gordon Hewart’s successor. Meanwhile, whatever happens, Mr. Lloyd George is determined to take a few weeks’ rest, as he is feeling the strain of incessant burdens and anxieties. uondon, March 5. Cabinet meets on Monday morning. The general impression is that the situation is easier and public attention is fixed on the declaration which Sir Arthur Balfour is likely to make at the ■luncheon on Tuesday at the City Carlson Club. * The Sunday Times states definitely that Mr. Lloyd George will not resign and that the general election will probably be postponed until the autumn The decision was reached after Mr Chamberlain and his Unionist colleagues had urged that the resignation would be a national <fisaster, and assured him of thpir personal" loyalty and their determintion to disclaim and not sanction any attempts at a Conservative breakaway. Mr. Lloyd George desired to resign altogether apart from the intrigues in order to obtain a mental and physical respite from the tremendous strain of recent months, but yielded to the urgent requests of his colleagues and the call of duty. The paper adds: “The Coalition is thus patched up, but remains a sick man and possibly will not stand the strain of a general election. Before then we may see a revival of the atfrempl to form a Centre Party.”