MR. LLOYD GEORGE RETURNS.

Auckland Star, Volume LIV, Issue 270, 12 November 1923, Page 4

MR. LLOYD GEORGE RETURNS.

mc return ot Air. Lloyd George , I projects another factor of interest into . the excited conditions of English politics. Only a few days ago a Unionist paper , suggested that lie would come back from protectionist Canada and the United States a tariff reformer. There was some ground for this suggestion. According to Mr. K. T. Raymond, the ablest of his biographers. Mr. Lloyd George was never so enthusiastic about Tree Trade as were some of his Liberal colleagues. His Coalition Government continued the protective duties imposed during the war, nml passed the Safeguarding of Industries Act. Mr. Lloyd George has a fluid, adaptable, changeable mind, which often acts not upon old and fixed political principles, but upon the needs of the moment, and it was not unthinkable that he would sccept part of the protectionist doctrine. The moment he set foot in England, however, he set doubt at rest by declaring "unhesitatingly" for Free Trade. Naturally Liberals are pleased. The Asquithian section of the party does not like him any more than it did, but it is glad to have the help of so distinguished and pereuasive a figure. Mr.

it Lloyd George is not the influence i; __ English politics that he was, but hi e _ opinions still carry quite enough weigh i e for hi 8 championing of Free Trade to adi ,f to the anxieties of the Government. Hi t declaration brings Liberal reunion sub stantially nearer. The dislike of the d Independent Liberals for him is nothinf • 8 to their feelings about Protection.