BRITISH POLITICS.

Taranaki Daily News, 27 October 1922, Page 5

BRITISH POLITICS.

LLOYD GEORGE’S PARTY.

ATTITUDE DEFINED. SPEECH BY LEADER. By Telegraph.—Press Assn.—Copyright. London, Oct. 25. Mr. Lloyd George, addressing 250 National Liberal members of Parliament and candidates at the Hotel Victoria, defined his attitude towards the various parties.

He said it was necessary to resist the Socialists’ declaration of relentless war. His attitude towards the Independent Liberals had been determined by the atter’s declaration of war and their attack on thirty National Liberal seats. Mr. Lloyd George charged the Inde- ; pendent Liberals with concerning themselves less with principle than piques. He deprecated factious opposition to the lew Government, but said it was for the Conservatives to decide the attitude of their two parties. Nevertheless, if Dielard candidates were put up directly or ;ndirectly to attack National Liberal seats they would have no alternative out to spread the war. (Cheers). This was regarded by the audience as t plain warning to Mr. Bonar Law not ;o oppose the National Liberals. COUNTRY BEFORE PARTY. Mr. Lloyd George said the interests if the country must come first. They lad seen parties destroyed by personal .•esentment, and whatever happened they must not make that mistake. Britain’s interests must be the highest concern if any party. Their own must come second or even last. Whatever the consequences of party faction it would be something for them to say they did their best to avoid it.

The success of the Coalition policy was becoming so manifest that people thought it time to seize the profits. He Bould understand the revolt of the Un-der-Secretaries. There were subalterns who would like to be captains, and captains who would like to be generals, but he could not understand why the majority of the party followed. Conservatives alone could not defend the interests which were the common concern of all Britons. It was vital that the Liberals should not allow their view of the Eastern transactions to weigh against the country’s interests. If the Conservatives won, it would not mean the end of the war between the two great conflicting ideas of the organisation of society There were resolute and determined men out to destroy, because they wanted to rebuild society on a totally different basis. “Could the Conservatives alone defend the social fabric? The dismissal of the Liberals was a rash and reckless act perpetrated by men who had been intriguing to that end for months and years past. It was now our business to ensure that the situation created by indiscreet, impulsive and thoughtless men, should be «o handled that Britain would not come to harm. BRITAIN’S MISSION. In his address to the Coalition Liberals, Mr. Lloyd George said there had been disappointment that he did not ring out a great slogan at Leeds. He had no slogan, but would support all who believed in the existing social fabric. It was hardly worth w'hile breaking a great national combination in order to substitute Lord Salisbury for Mr. Balfour.

They had been told that the new Government was a Government of tranquility. If tranquility meant no change in existing conditions it was bad. It was said that Britain was not going to extend her responsibility and that Britain’s policy must be peace-loving, but not afraid. He would not support anyone who let Britain down.

He was all for the co-operation of the Allies, but Britain had her own mission in the world, which she must carry out. She could not be tied behind the chariot of any other nation. She should not attempt to impose on Germany any payment beyond the latter’s capacity. She must pay America all her debts. He was strongly in favor of a renewal of peace with 'Russia, making a peace in which Europe would participate. Until the League of Nations included all the great nations as well as the small ones it would not serve ite full purpose. The first essential of home policy was to improve trade. Stern economy was essential. The new Chancellor of the Exchequer must pursue the policy of the old one. “WE FALL FIGHTING.” Mr. McKenna said things were worse. He knew Mr. McKenna, who was primarily responsible for the Liberal division in 1916. He was always denouncing him (Mr. Lloyd George) because of his profound conviction that a change in the direction of the war was necessary. Mr. McKenna was not an actor of the first order. Although he (Mr. Lloyd George) was against the artificial stimulating of trade, the Trade Facilities Act had been a great success. In the next Parliament it would be for them to see there was no detriment to national interest from revolutionary or reactionary measures. Mr. Lloyd George, concluding, said he would not like to say Mr. Bonar Law was a reactionary, but the Conservatives, like the Laborites, may have a fanatical tail. Lord Curzon had great qualities, but he never regarded him as a great bulwark against reaction or anything else. “If we fall we fall fighting, and fighting where we can hit hardest. If they mean to fight national unity all round We shall stand for it all round.” He was not saying that in a spirit of defiance or challenge, but with full knowledge of the fighting power at his command. Mr. ®. S. Montagu denies the statement that he will stand as a Conservative

THE LABOR PARTY. ITS POLICY OUTLINED. DRASTIC CHANGES DESIRED. Received October 26, 8.30 p.m. London, Oct. 25. The Labor Partv has issued its election manifesto. The chief points are: The revision of peace treaties; an international conference on Turkey, attended by all countries concerned and all members of the League of Nations; real independence for Egypt; self-gov-ernment for India; the creation of a war redemption fund by a ~ graduated levy on fortunes exceeding £5000; some restitution from war profiteers; increased death duties and super-tax; exemption from! income-tax of incomes

below £250; taxation of land values; freedom of trade and industry from all excessive burdens, whether customs, excise or stamp duties; economy in administration, but no penny wise policy;, national organisation of production; a large programme of necessary public works and a bold policy of reorganisation of agriculture in order to relieve unemployment. The manifesto also provides for the existing social economic system, which confers unfair privileges on a few undeserved and hardship on many, to be changed as speedily as possible; the nationalisation of mines and railways; an improved Workmen’s Compensation Act; a national housing scheme; more generous old age pensions; complete supercession of the poor law, and Parliamentary reform. The manifesto declares the policy is neither Communistic nor Bolshevistic, but is simply based on common sense and justice, which is the best bulwark against violent upheaval and class wars. It will constitutionally produce a more equitable distribution of the nation’s wealth and is an alternative to reaction and revolution. — Aus.-N.Z. Cable Assn. MR. DEVLIN TO RETIRE. Received Oct. 26, 11.5 pm. London. Oct. 25. Mr. Devlin retires from Parliament at the general elections. Colonel Leslie Wilson has been appointed chief Conservative whip. CONFLICTING LIBERALS. Received Oct. 26, 11.5 p.m. London. Oct. 25. Mr. Lloyd George and Liberal members of the National Liberal Club met and resolved in favour of opposition to Independent Liberals. Sitting members, as a reprisal, took similar counter action.