MR. LLOYD GEORGE.

Taranaki Daily News, 8 March 1922, Page 5

MR. LLOYD GEORGE.

RESIGNATION DEFERRED WAY OUT OF IMPASSE. A NEW COALITION. By Telegraph.—Press Assn.—Copyright, Received March 7, 5.5 p.m, London, March 6. The Evening Standard understands that Mr. Lloyd George, Mr. Chamberlain, Sir A. J. Balfour, Lord Birkenhead, Lord Curzon, Sir Robert Horne, and Sir L Worthington-Evans, at a private meeting, unanimously agreed that, instead of the Coalition breaking up, steps should be taken to form a Centre National Party with a policy which Sir A. J. Balfour will outline to-morrow.

It is understood that Mr. Lloyd George, on the assurances that his leadership will be guarded, agreed to postpone his resignation, being specially influenced in this action by Sir A. J. Balfour’s pleadings not to resign prior to the Genoa Conference, in view of the serious international situation and the delays which the French and Italian crises have already produced. Despite the irreconcilable attitude of the “diehards” in the House of Commons, it is believed a majority of the Unionist members of the House are willing to support the Ministry. Mr. Lloyd George is suffering from bronchial catarrh, and did not attend Monday’s Cabinet meeting. He will take a holiday at Criccieth, probably for a fortnight. The Daily Express says a definite scheme has been agreed to by the Conservative leaders for patching up the Coalition and at the same time giving the Premier the guarantee of loyalty demanded from the Conservative Party. Mr. Chamberlain will write a letter to Sir George Younger (chairman of the Conservatives) instructing him to conform in future to the policy of his own chiefs, and to see that the Conservative Party machine does not move independently of the front bench, and therefore of Cabinet as a whole. In order that there may be nothing invidious in selecting a Tory manager for this veiled rebuke, a similar letter has been addressed to Mr. C. A. McCurdy by Mr. Lloyd Georgee. The speech by Mr. Balfour to-day will be directed towards reinforcing this decision. The Premier has expressed himself as satisfied with these steps, and has withdrawn his re-signation.—Aus.-N.Z. Cable Assn.

FINANCIAL MATTERS. London, March 6. Sir Robert Horne, in the House of Commons, announced that he. does not intend to resume the issue of Treasury bond*? at fixed prices, but after March 17 will invite tenders for 5 per cent, five year bonds in the same manner as Treasury bills. Mr. Chamberlain, answering a question, said the coat of the Britieh delegation at Washington was not expected to exceed £50,000. ' The result of the conference was a saving in the estimates for 1922-23 which would probably exceed ten millions. The abandonment of the construction of four capital ships would mean a saving this year of three millions and ultimately of at least 30 millions. OPPOSITION TO PEERESS’ RIGHTS. London, March 6. The Daily Express understands that when the report of the Committee on Privileges in favor or peeresses sitETng in the House of Lords is discussed the report will be rejected. An immense majority is said to be opposed to women sitting in the House of Lords, and for this reason it is felt the innovation should be held over until the reform of the Chamber has been disposed of.