POLITICAL CRISIS

Ashburton Guardian, Volume XLII, Issue 9473, 4 March 1922, Page 5

POLITICAL CRISIS

AFFAIRS IN BRITAIN. SIR G. YOUNGER’S ATTITUDE. (Per Press Association, Copyright.) LONDON, March 2. The “Daily Chronicle” states the political crisis became graver on Wednesday. In pursuance of a desire by the Unionist leaders to consolidate Coalition ranks Mr Chamberlain and Air Balfour met Sir George Younger and discussed the difficulties which had arisen owing to Sir George Younger’s public utterances. v The latter was not asked to resign but the grave difficulties in which the Coalition found itself were stressed. Sir George Younger stood to his guns and refused to modify his attitude. The Unionist leaders were much disappointed. The fact is Sir George Younger based himself largely on the advice of the Unionist Party agents, who, the “Daily Chronicle” suggests, do not represent the feelings of the constituencies. During Wednesday evening Liberal members of the Cabinet dined with Mr Lloyd George at the Savoy Hotel and discussed the situation. Those present at the Sa.voy were the Hon. E. Shortt, K.C., Hon. Winston Churchill, Hon. E. G. Montagu, Hon. H. A. Fisher, Sir Gordon Hewart, Dr. T. J. McNamara, Sir A, M. Mond, Sir Ha-1 mar Greenwood, Captain F. E. Guest, Sir R. Munro, K.C., and Hon. C. A. i McCurdy. To a man they assured Mr Lloyd George that if he felt obliged to resign they would also resign in a ( body. The feeling among the Liberals is that the Unionist leaders must keep discipline within their party if the ' Coalition is to keep in being. It is pos- | sible if Sir George Younger goes the Coalition could extricate itself from the awkward situation, but it must be made clear that the Unionist leaders will not be controverted by the party organisation. ■ „ It is understood after the Unionist , discussion Mr Lloyd George took a -j serious view of the situation. ’ ■(

(Received March 4, 1.50 p.m.)

• LONDON, March 3. Mr Austen Chamberlain, speaking at Oxford, said Mr Lloyd George had offered to resign if the Conservative Leader thought a return to party government desirable. After consulting liis colleagues, 'Mr Chamberlain replied to Mr Lloyd George that national interests would be injured by his resignation.

MUNICIPAL ELECTIONS. CONSERVATIVES WIN. LONDON, March 3. Municipal reformers who were Conservatives gained a sweepihg victory at the London County Council elections. The Progressives so far have lost 10 seats. Labour, despite making a great attack, is only holding its own. The most prominent issue was economy, but the election is otherwise interesting in .view of the political crisis.