BRITISH POLITICS.

Waikato Times, Volume 107, Issue 17974, 20 March 1930, Page 5

BRITISH POLITICS.

LIBERALS AND LABOUR

A SIGNIFICANT GATHERING. MR MACDONALD RELIEVED. United Press Assn. —Elec. Tel. —Copyrlg-ht.. LONDON, March 19. A significant political event to-day was a luncheon party given by Mrs Snowden, wife of the Chancellor of the Exchequer, at No. 11, Downing Street. A surprise was that the guests included tlie most noted free traders in the country, headed by Mr Lloyd George, also a number of prominent Labour supporters.

It is understood that they discussed joint action in view of the Conservatives’ intention lo fight, the next general election on Die protectionist issue.

These developments are causing considerable speculation. The question most frequently asked is : “ Arc the Liberals and Labour Party preparing to join forces for the next election ?”

The Daily Chronicle says Parliament was elected less than 10 months ago. An election in the summer is not wanted and would be a shocking waste of money and time as well as a deplorable sacrifice of opportunities. Tlie paper says Mr MacDonald struck the right note when he asked the House of Commons to consider itself a Council of State. The present Parliament, on that basis, might serve the nation with greater wisdom than could he expected from any party in a majority acting strictly on party lines. The political correspondent of the Morning Post says the surrender of the Liberals to Labour on the Coal Mines Bill means that for the present Mr MacDonald has recovered freedom to select his own time for the general election.