LIBERAL VIEWS ON POLITICAL POSITION

Bay of Plenty Times, Volume LII, Issue 8474, 20 December 1923, Page 7

LIBERAL VIEWS ON POLITICAL POSITION

DAYS OF PRESENT GOVERNMENT NUMBERED.

Press Assoc. By Tel. Copyright Aust.—-N.Z Cable Assoc. Rec. Dec. 19, 2.30 p.m. London, Dec. 18.

At a meeting of Liberal members of the House of Commons, at the National Liberal Club, Mr Asquith said that there had been uc overtures whatever by the Libera's with the leaders of either of the other parties. He intended to preserve that freedom completely.

The Liberals controlled the situation. The days of the present Government were numbered. The Government’s record wa§ one of impotence. They reduced the country to a cypher in the councils of the world He would not move a finger to connive at the prolongation of their disastrous stewardship. Mr Lloyd George said he complete ly agreed with Mr Asquith’s policy.

ASQUITH CLEARS THE SITUATION. Rec. Dec, 20, 8.5 a.m. London, Dec. 19.

Mr Asquith cleared and crystallised the political situation in a speech at the National Liberal Assembly, especially in a statement that a Labour Government could hardly be tried under safer conditions. He added; “Whoever may be the incumbents of office it is we, Liberals, if we understand cur business, who really control the situation.” Mr Asquith went on to define the conditions under which the Prime Minister was entitled to demand a dissolution from His: Majesty the King. It would be a subversion of constitutional usage and pernicious to the interests of the nation if a minority of less than one-third could demand a dissolution.

Newspapers regard Mr Asquith’s speech as an indication that the King should not grant a dissolution, to Mr McDonald (Labour) if he takes office, and as a sign that Mr Asquith would not be unwilling to take office when Labour is defeated. Mr Asquith's insistence upon the unconditional independence of the Liberal Party was loudly cheered. Apparently Mr Asquith intends that the Liberals and Labourites shall join forces to defeat the Government on the debate on the Addrees-in-Re-ply, which commences on January 15. Later, when Labour is beaten by Hi combination of Unionists and Liberals, the latter would accept office in order to avoid an immediate general election. The Unionists would then, under honourable obligation, maintain the Liberals in office and 1 nor attack the Liberal policy in the country.