STORM AHEAD.

Taranaki Daily News, 30 October 1922, Page 5

STORM AHEAD.

LLOYD GEORGE’S WARNING.

BAD TIME FOR CHANGE.

WEAKNESS OF CABINET.

By Telegraph.—Prew Aasu.—■Copyright.

Received Oct. 29, 5.5 p.m.

London, Oct. 28. Five thousand people at St. Andrew’s Hall, Glasgow, welcomed Mr. Lloyd George, who was supported by Lord Birkenhead, Sir Robert Horne and Lord Weir. Mr. Lloyd George had a rousing reception, the audience rising and singing “Land of Our Fathers.” Mr. Lloyd George complained of the wanton act of sabotage of the Carlton Club, which smashed the Coalition. He was perplexed why this was done, ana he thought the nation was also perplexed. Some party splits were explained by an explosive reason, which went deep into the hearts of the people, but there was nothing of this kind here. Mr. Bonar Law’s explanation had not baffled him, and, further, Mr. Bonar Law had not arraigned the policy and administration of the last Government.

The only justification for shattering the great combination was the removal of the Cabinet Secretariat from Whitehall Gardens to the Treasury Chambers and the abolition of the Pensions Ministry. “The Tory Party want to get rid of me because I always want to get a move on,” he added. “They want io lie down in a negative attitude. Tn golfing language the Tories say I am excellent at getting the ball out of the rougn, but on the green I am too energetic. But is the nation really out of the rough? “The Diehards are not the only people who are calling for a change. The Labor manifesto is a formidable challenge, and this is no time for moderate men to fall out. The situation in the country demands the direction of the ablest men available. Even the best friends of the new Government will not compare them with the men they supplanted in achievement, experience and talent. I don’t like this negative pose, particularly in view of unemployment. It would be far better if the followers of Mr. Bonar Law had gone on with their minds active and their eyes open, instead of with folded arms and drowsy eyes. “It is said the nation is tired—let it go to bed—but that ia not the way to get through our troubles. It will be impossible to maintain a negative pose, which will feed despair, and despair is dangerous. The world war was won by co-operation, and I do not say that cooperation is to be brought to an end. We must all take care we don’t convert the wretchedness of our unemployed into recklessness. Europe, voo, is in rags, and not even a magic carpet woven of the world’s will can carry the devastated areas to sunny, unburdened lands beyond.”

Mr. Lloyd George concluded: “As an old mariner who has weathered many gales, I utter this warning: There is a worse hurricane coming from another quarter. You really don’t know the worst. I appeal to all not to endanger this glorious old ship by quarrels as to which officer shall be on the bridge.” Lord Birkenhead said no doubt Mr. Bonar Law was fully adequate to meet the burdens of Prime Minister, but the men by whom he was surrounded were not. It was useless trying to deal with first-class problems with second-class brains.

Mr. Lloyd George, when travelling to Glasgow to reply to Mr. Bonar Law’s speech, addressed crowds at the railway stations wherever the train stopped, including Crewe, where several thousand people on the platform sang “For He’s a Jolly Good Fellow.”

MR. AUSTEN CHAMBERLAIN. HIS POSITION DEFINED. CO-OPERATION WITH BONAR LAW. Received Oct. 29, 5.5 p.m. London, Oct. 28. Mr. Austen Chamberlain, addressing his constituents at West Birmingham, said: “Ten days ago I was the leader of the Unionist Party, and now I am a soldier in its ranks. I have served tne party in Parliament for thirty years, but the party has never been a major matter for me. to my country lias been my chief end. It was only because party differences were forgotten that national unity was preserved and victory won. “No differences of principle led to the end of the Coalition, though the Government had become less popular. As I shared Mr. Lloyd George’s responsibilities I could not, as a man of honor, tell him his room was preferable to nls company. I have co-operated with Mr. Bonar Law before, and could do eo .again.” Mr. Chamberlain added: “No difference in principle separates me from the Unionist Party, and I hope to give Mr. Bonar Law the same support I should expect from him.”

THE INDEPENDENT LIBERALS. SPEECH BY MR. ASQUITH. ATTACK ON OTHER PARTIES. Received Oct. 29, 5.5 p.m. London, Oct. 27. Mr. Asquith, speaking at Peterborough, said some months ago the Coalition was tossing on the sick bed, but nobody anticipated such a speedy release from its sufferings. They had to-day the unusual spectacle of the two authors of its being writing rival epitaphs for its tomb. The truth was the Coalition had fallen into disrepute at home and abroad; it was not either in Belgravia or the Carlton Club, but in Downing Street, that it had met its fate. The Liberal policy was plain enough, and the Labor manifesto clean cut and understandable, but when.it came to the disjointed fragments of the late Coalition things were quite different. Both sections of the Coalition had been turned out of stable to seek fresh pastures, but though parted for the moment they still neighed wistfully over the palings. They knew little about Mr. Lloyd George’s policy beyond that he now was for the sternest economy. How refreshing! Mr. Bonar Law’s policy, where not negative, was gelatinous. The Liberals since the war had preached economy, and would continue to preach it. They

were few in number —they were voices crying in the wilderness, derided in debate and overwhelmed in the division lobbies.—Aus.-N.Z. Cable Assn. OLD FRIENDS AGREE. CONSERVATIVES AND N. LIBERALS. TO AVOID VOTE SPLITTING Received Oct. 29. 5.5 p.m. London, Oct. 28. Though there is no definite pact between the Conservatives and the National Liberals, an increasing number of local Conservative organisations, where no Conservative candidates are standing, are agreeing to support Lloyd George candidates against Independent Liberals ; or Labor, provided they give the Government general support. Such agreements, which Mr. Bonar Law and Mr. Lloyd George approve, have heen made already in seventeen constituencies, including those Mr. Winston Churchill. Mr. F. G. Kellaway, and Dr. T. J. Macnamara are contesting. Other local Conservative associations , are protesting to headquarters against the arrangement, and will oppose any . attempt to force them to adopt it. j Mr. Lloyd George’s candidates total ' only 155, of which four are women. i Dr. Bayles (Imperial Conservative), who is opposing Lady Astor at Plymouth, has issued a writ for libel against Lord Astor. I Six Liberal candidates for Leeds, some of whom are Lloyd George Liberals and .some Independent Liberals, have joined forces and are issuing a joint manifesto.