CAUSE OF DISPUTE

Auckland Star, Volume LXI, Issue 13, 16 January 1930, Page 7

CAUSE OF DISPUTE

LLOYD GEORGE'S FUND

Divided Party May Fight Next Election.

LQED GREY ATTACKS LEADER. (United P.A.—Electric Telegraph—Copyright) LONDON, January 15. ' Viscount Grey, who was re-elected president of the Liberal Council at its annual meeting yesterday, in the course of his attaek on the leadership of Mr. Lloyd George, referred to the latter's unemployment policy issued before last election. He stated that the Liberal Council had separated itself very distinctly Lorn any responsibility for the pledge as to how much could be done to relieve unemployment in any particular year. However, the council had no hesitation in agreeing to the principle of the proposals, which was that it was better to relieve unemployment by finding work for the unemployed than to leave them idle or on the dole. A somewhat unwarranted advantage had been taken of that bv the Liberal headquarters. The whole "party was represented as being, absolutely united under Mr. George. Since the election, Lord Grey said, he had been criticised for not having pointed out that that was a misconception. Their feeling remained just as it was with regard to Mr. George's leadership and also his fund. If and when the next election came the Liberal headquarters were in a position to say they had a party fund which was independent of Mr. George's personal fund they would have enormous support from Liberalism in the country, but there would still remain the other question of want of confidence in the leadership of the party. That was why they must maintain an absolutely separate organisation. When the next election came, if things were then as they were the Liberal Council must fight not under its present leadership, but under its own organisation and with its own funds. Mr. George states that he will reply to Lord Grey fully on Monday at the National Liberal Club. Mr. George's personal fund has long been a bone of contention. It did not need Viscount Grey's plain speaking to establish the fact that it is Mr. George's leadership which is still sapping the vitality of the. party. It is common knowledge in spite of outward appearances that the Liberals' differences are not healed. It is understood that the trustees of the fund 'recently offered an annual contribution ifor a limited period.

"The "Daily News" says Lord Grey's speech adds little to what is already known. Even his announcement that the candidates of the Liberal Council will fight the next election with their own money and under their own leadership does not alter the situation. They did so at the last election. The constituencies concerned are few. The "Daily Chronicle"- expresses the opinion that while there, is. room for the Liberal party alongside Conservatism and Labour, provided that electoral reform is carried, there certainly is no room for two or more Liberal parties.