THE LIBERAL SPLIT.

Auckland Star, Volume LVII, Issue 132, 5 June 1926, Page 9

THE LIBERAL SPLIT.

POSSIBILITY OF HEALING.

MB. LLOYD GEORGE MOVES

A SETTLEMENT DESIRED.

(By Cable.—Tress Association.—Copyright.)

(Received 12 Noon.) LONDON, June 4. The "Daily News" says that certain liberals criticised Mr. Lloyd George but it- was evident the back benchers' resolution urging reconciliation would be carried. Mr. Lloyd George suggested the resolution ahould not be pressed until an effort is made to secure peace, upon which a deputation appointed to inform Lord Oxford the meeting saw no reason •why the differences should not be amicably settled.— (Sydney "Sun.")

WHO SHALL BE LEADER?

LLOYD GEORGE AND LABOUR.

LONDON, June 4. : There have been further developments in connection with the quarrel in the Liberal party. ■At a meeting of the executive of the Liberal Federation, on which there is * preponderance of supporters of the Earl of Oxford, it was decided to call a convention to discuss the question of adopting a motion of confidence in the •tetter. 'Subsequently a meeting of Parliamentary Liberals was held, at which Mr. Lloyd George presided. Those present appointed delegates to-convey the sense of the meeting to Lord Oxford. This cryptic decision, in conjunction with a count of heads which showed 22 Supporters of Mr. Lloyd George, 12 members hostile to him and five doubtful, is interpreted to mean that Mr. Lloyd George has won the day. It is stated that the idea of the Parr liamentary Liberals was to Jet bygones fee bygones. It is regarded as significant that three of Lord Oxford's most prominent supporters were selected to interview him and explain the position. The delegates will report to a meeting on Tuesday. The opinion is held that it will be difficult for Lord Oxford to retreat from tJte position he has taken up. Nevertheless an effort to postpone a split will be made. A rumour to the effect that Mr. Lloyd George had turned over to the Labour party is disposed of by a letter he has Written to the assistant Liberal Whip. In this he says the story is foolish and liardly -worth contradiction. He says he is not a Socialist, but a Liberal. Mr. Ramsay Mac Donald, Leader of the Labour party, in a speech at Port Talbot, ridiculed the idea of Mr. Lloyd George joining Labour. He said the Communist party was more likely to receive one so flightily accustomed to freedom in handling moral issues.—(A. and N.Z.-Keuter.)