AFFAIRS IN BRITAIN.

Press, Volume LIV, Issue 16370, 15 November 1918, Page 8

AFFAIRS IN BRITAIN.

CONFIDENCE IN MR LLOYD GEORGE .(By Cable.—Frees Association.—Copyright.) (Australian and N-Z. Cable Aseociatioc.) LONDON, November 12. A meeting of 200 Liberal and Unionist members of tha House of Commons and others carried a motion of confidence in Mr Lloyd George. AN OPPORTUNITY FOR LIBERALISM. (Australian and X.Z. Cable Association.) (Received November 14th, 10.5 p.m.) LONDON, November 13. Mr Lloyd George, in addressing 200 Liberal and Unionist members "of the House of Commons and the House of Lords, who had carried a unanimous vote of confidence in him, on the necessity of maintaining the Coalition urged that the great creating period after the war would give Liberalism a unique opportunity. "Don't," he said, "let Liberalism sulk over personal differences. In God's name, what do they count compared with the great issues at stake?" The Premier paid a tribute to Unionist patriotism during the war, and said he was gratified with their promise of *o-operation. "The revolutionary spirit is in the air, and wants direction. It can be combated by the spirit which won the war—unity in co-operation with sacrifice." Every worker should be guaranteed a decent standard of living and reduced working hours. He pointed out that Clause 3 of President Wilson's charter precluded economic war after the present war. Ireland had been sullen, refractory, and foolish. We must approach this question calmly, but there must be no coercion in Northeast Ulster. Referring to peace, the Premier said that in no sense must tho spirit of revenge or greed mar the settlement. The League of Nations would make possible a reduction in armaments and get rid of conscription.

RECRUITING IN BRITAIN i CEASES. LONDON, November 12. British recruiting has ceased / * WAR INSURANCE RISK ' REDUCED. LONDON, November 12. ihe Government war insurance risk has beer reduced to half a crown all lound, except the North Sea risk, winch is ss, ANOTHER COALITION GOVERNMENT. LABOUR PARTY'S STATEMENT. (Aastralun tnd N.Z. Cable AoocUtioD.) (Received November 14th, 10.5 p.m.) LONDON, November 13. Mr Bonar Law, presiding at a meeting of Unionists, announced that the Government to be formed after the elections would be a Coalition Government. A resolution of confidence in Mr Bonar Law's leadership was carried. An official statement, issued on behalf of the Labour Party, says: "The coming contest is manifestly a challenge. The Labour Party did not desire an election till the war was really over." THE PROROGATION OF PARLIAMENT. (Australian and K. 2. CaMo A.aociatwn.) (Received November 14th, 10 p.m.') LONDON, November 13. In the House of Lords the Karl of Crawford announced that Parliament hoped to prorogue next week.

AN ADVANCE IN WAGES. x (Australian and N.Z. CM« Aasociatioa.) (Beater's Telegrams.) (Received November 14th, 10.5 p.m.) LONDON, November 12. The Committee on Production, owing to the increased cost of living, has awarded a .further advance of five shillings weekly for men of 18 years of ago and upwards, half-a*crown for boys and apprentices in the engineering, shipbuilding, aircraft, chemical, and other munition works. EMPLOYERS AND TRADES UNIONS. THE GOVERNMENT'S POLICY. (Anstraitas and N.Z. Cable Association.) (Renter's Telegram*.) (Received November 15th, 12.15 a.m.) LONDON, November 13. Mr Lloyd George addressed a meeting of representatives of Employers' Associations and Trades Unions of fifteen principal industries, including engineering, shipbuilding, coal-mining, transport' and railwaymen. He said that the Government intended to carry out the pledges given in 1915, by which trades unions relaxed certain practices for the period of the war. Th© employers and workers of various trades .ought to confor and arrive at an agreement. He added that the Government's policy was that during the immediate transition period the present level of wages due to the high cost of living should be maintained for a minimum period of six months unless referred to an independent tribunal