A PAINFUL DISPUTE.

Wairarapa Age, Volume XXXII, Issue 10063, 9 June 1910, Page 4

A PAINFUL DISPUTE.

All London is talking about the singular dispute that arose recently between Mr Lloyd Georee and Mr William O'Brien. The latter, who has been an implacable opponent of the Budget, wanted the measure modified, and the Government wanted the support of his group cf members. According]'/ he and Mr Lloyd George met. Mr O'Brien outlined his views, and the Chancellor asked him to submit bis case in writing. Mr O'Brien did so, at which the dispute comi tnences, Mr O'Brien tuld the people ; of Cork, in his paper, that he sub!mi tied to Mr Lloyd George and "read out to him every word of the i letter he had drafted, and which he afterwards published." Mr Lloyd i George' instantly declared to the ] Press that Mr O'Brien's story of J the interview was "grossly un . I true," that he had not received the i letter, nor had it been read to him. ! Mr O'Brien repeated his statement |in the House ot Commons. "I ! would only respectfully say," de- ! clared Mr O'Brien, "that, great j personage as the Chancellor is, he ! raises an issue of truthfullnesa and j straight dealing which I am quite I willing \to allow to be judged by those who know the Chancellor, and iby those who know me." Mr Lloyd ; George's reply was delivered in a j calm and confident manner, and the I general impression was that ha had ! defended himself successfully. Amid ! all the turmoil of party strife, the i House of Commons holds its honour very dearly, and, there was something repugnant to even the bitterj est opponent of Mr Lloyd George in ! the idea of a man in such an exalted position being accused of lying.