BRITISH POLITICS.

Taranaki Daily News, 24 October 1922, Page 5

BRITISH POLITICS.

CONFUSING POSITION. STRENGTH OF PARTIES. ATTITUDE OF LABOR. By Telegraph.—Press Assn.—Copyright, Received Oct. 23, 8.10 p.m. London, Oct. 22. There is very great speculation in all quarters regarding election prospects, which are of a most confusing character. It is known that the main body of Conservatives are perturbed by the possibility of opposition from Coalition Liberals, which will inevitably give many otherwise safe seats to Labor. Independent Liberals also are uncertain. Chamberlainites will not insist on a bargain with the other Tories, which would seriously hamper the campaign, while the possibility of Mr. Lloyd George returning to Westminster, supported bv his own party, further complicates the outlook. It is conceivable in the latter case that Mr. Lloyd George would remain master of the situation. Mr. J. Hodge admits that Labor does not hope to secure the winning position at this election. He predicts, nevertheless, sufficient victories to become an effective opposition. It is believed the dissolution will be proclaimed on the 25th instant, that polling will be held on November 14, and that Parliament will meet on November 20. The Conservatives, for political reasons., do not favour Saturday polling. Mr% J. .H. Thomas (Labor), in a speech at Carlisle, declared he could conceive nothing so mean, contemptible, and politically dishonest as an election deliberately timed to make it inconvenient and expensive to the poorest data, and he demanded Saturday.

THE OBSERVER’S SPECULATIONS. London, October 22. Mr. Reginald M'Kenna, a former Chancellor of tlie Exchequer under Mr Asquith, will take the Unionist platform and speak on behalf of Mr. Bonar I jaw. There were further demonstrative gatherings on Mr. Lloyd George’s departure from Leede, and as the special flew past the stations en route to London. The Observer newspaper says that Mr. Lloyd George at large and unmuzzled appeals to the millions of the enormously increased electorate whose political affinities are relatively unfixed. We expect him to do very well, and will not be -surprised if he ia returned with fifty personal followers in the next Parliament but, unless some new compact can be framed, he will subtract from the Wee Frees and Labour more than from the Unionists.