RIVAL LEADERS.

Wairarapa Age, 29 March 1920, Page 5

RIVAL LEADERS.

Lloyd George and Asquith.

POSITION OP LABOUR PARTY.

(By Electric Tdegraph.--Oopyright.) (Australian-N.Z. Cable Association.) Received Last Night, 5.5 o'clock. LONDON, March 26. The Right Hon; D. Lloyd-George, speaking at the National Liberal Club, said he- did not desire to misrepresent the Labour Party, which represented clean, emphatic, and sincere convic,tions. He declared that common ownership was an essential part of tho Labour Party's programme. It ha"d been said that this plank was only inserted to conciliate a section of the party. That was a very dangerous doctrine in these tropical days, when the seed sown very quickly fruited. They could not put such doctrines in the forefront of the programme of a powerful party and say that it meant nothing. If the Labour Party won at a' general election, moderate men like Messrs Clynes, Henderson, and Thomas would be compelled to carry out the programme. Were. we, he asked, to risk the industrial, life of the country upon a mere chance that they would betray their supporters! Society, could not take any chances, in these revolutionary days. Tho Labour Party's programme was to end Capitalism and create a co-operative commonwealth. Before Labour snatched a victory let the nation realise the. meaning of the Labour programme, and then choose deliberately with its eyes open. Referring to Mr. Asquith'a description of him as a "demagogue,"" 4he i Premier said that some of the greatest men in history had been called demagogues. The epithet ■was* always applied N by dull, pompous people against anyone having a greater power of appealing to the masses, than they. Tho Premier concluded by deprecat-" ing party, strife in the present situation, and by appealing for patience, forbearance, and good humour, which were absolutely essential to enable usto solve the problems of Europe, and of the world. ASQUITH ON LLOYD GEOKGE. Received Last Night, 5.5 o'clock. LONDON, March-24. Mr.. Asquith, continuing his speech at the National Liberal Club, said that Mr. Lloyd George's attempt to draw a line of demarcation upon purely class lines in such a community as outs, and at such a time as this, was the worst disservice he had ever done to democracy. It was calculated not to close, but to open the way which leads to revolution. Not a fortnight ago tho Trade Union Congress, representing , the whole of the organised Labour of this country, by an overwhelming majority, deefded against direct . action in favour of constitutional order. At this moment the head of the British Government invited them to engage in insensate class warfare. "Thus the' dividing line between parties is now fixed, and enables us to feel that we are approaching the close 1 ,of a transient era-of organised insincerity." . The Liberals, he added, would not hew.the wood nor draw the water as camp-followers to the Tory army.