INTERNAL STRIFE.

Auckland Star, Volume LXII, Issue 66, 19 March 1931, Page 7

INTERNAL STRIFE.

LLOYD GEORGE ANGRY Split Vote on Electoral Bill Causes Trouble. PLAIN TALKING EXPECTED. (United P.A.-Electric Telegraph-Copyright) (Received 1 p.m.) LONDON, March 18. The defeat of the Government on Monday in the committee stage of the Electoral Reform Bill has produced a new crisis in the Liberal party. An emergency meeting of the Liberal members of Parliament is to be held this evening, when, according to political correspondents, the leader, Mr. Lloyd George, intends to indulge in some plain speaking and to insist upon an understanding about future united action. Mr. George is angry, especially because some of the Liberals imperilled the Electoral Reform Bill. His first thought was to retire from the leadership of the party, but he has decided to make another effort to consolidate it. Sir Archibald Sinclair, chief Liberal Whip, has offered his resignation owing to the split vote on Monday. It is recalled that he accepted office only on the understanding that the party would stand together. • A later message states that Sir Archibald Sinclair has resigned.

ECONOMY DRIVE. British Committee to Probe National Expenditure. INDEPENDENT BODY. RUGBY, March 17. The Prime Minister, Mr. Mac Donald, announced in the House of Commons to-day the constitution of the independent committee set up in accordance with the resolution of the House with the following terms of reference: —To make recommendations to the Chancellor of the Exchequer for effecting forthwith all possible reductions in the national expenditure on supply services, having regard especially to the present and prospective position of the revenue. Mr. Mac Donald said the Government had consulted the other two parties who had concurred. The committee would consist of a chairman and six members, two having been suggested by each party. When questions of policy were involved in expenditure under discussion these would remain for the exclusive consideration of the Cabinet, but the committee could review and indicate the effect of particular policies upon expenditure. The chairman of the committee would be Sir George May, a prominent actuary, ex-secretary of the Prudential Assurance Company and a director of the British Overseas Bank. The six members "Would be Lord Plender, Sir Mark JenkinSon, Sir Thomas Hoyden and Messrs. Ashley Cooper, Charles Nathan and Arthur Pugh.