HOME POLITICS.

Press, Volume LX, Issue 18013, 4 March 1924, Page 7

HOME POLITICS.

A CHASTENED PARTY.

LABOUR AS MR LLOYD GEORGE

SEES IT

(by cable— press association corTKioirr.) (Sydney "Sun" Servicx.) LONDON, March 2. Mr Lloyd George, in an address nt West Hartlepool, said that Great Britain was in luck in that its first experiment in a Socialist Administration had eventuated in conditions under which it would do the least harm, and would probably do a great deal of good. "There is all the difference between viewing the land from an aeroplane and from the tail of a plough," said Mr Lloyd George. '' You can surmount obstacles from an aeroplane, but a single rock or root arrests the progress of a plough and forces the ploughman to turn aside. I am for leaving Labour some time between the handles of the plough. They will soou have aching backs, weary hcart3, and wiser heads.

"Even a month's experience of offlco has worked miracles. The Salvation Army never effected a moro complete change in its converts to sobriety than a month in office has achieved for Labour. Mr Eamsay Mac Donald is quite a changed man. When I heard him speak in the House of Commons I thought I was dreaming. All the restraints, reservations, and compromises, which the ordinary mundane statesman indulged in, were repeated. There was even a tribute to private enterprise over State control; also, capital and credit must bo safeguarded against injudicious inroads.

'' You have heard of tenors who, after charming audiences for years with high notes, eventually find they are unable to reach the thrilling altitudes, and announce that they intend to become baritones. When I heard Mr MacDouald, who has indulged in the shrillest notes on many platforms, pitching his tone so low and imitating the modest notes of less pretentious singers, it recalled the cracked tenor forced by fato to make tho same choice." The Labour Government's mistakes hitherto were mistakes largoly of inexperience, said. Mr Lloyd George, who expressed the opinion that a coalition was not now a practical alternative. It was more vital than ever to Groat Britain's well-being that the Liberal sentiment should bo strengthened and mobilised. Ho impressed upon the Labourites the folly of alienating Liberal support by adventures in Socialism. THE ABBEY DIVISION OF WESTMINSTER.

CONSERVATIVE ASPIRANTS.

(BY CABLE—PRESS ASSOCIATION COPYRIGHT.) (AUSTRALIAN AND N.Z. CABLE ASSOCIATION.;

LONDON, March 2,

Four prospective candidates expounded their views to the executive of the "Westminster Conservatives. Mr Nicholson, nephew of the former member, secured the most vd"tes, and Mr Ellis Ashmead-Barllett none. Mr Winston Churchill refused to participate owing to the condition that a candidate must not stand unless selected by the ExecutTVe.

SINGAPORE BASE.

HOSTILITY WEAKENING.

(aUSTBALIAN AND U.S. CABLE association.)

LONDON, March 2,

The political correspondent of the "Daily News" says ' that prominent members of the Government are abandoning hostility to the Singapore scheme. There is such a change in the official atmosphere that it is confidently predicted in some quarters that the Government will ultimately approve of the base. Considerable pressure is being Averted by those who succeeded in persuading the Goverment, to accelerate warship construction to relieve unemployment. The Dominions are being consulted, The Admiralty is pressing for an early decision, and rejection of the scheme will probably result in resignations at the Admiralty. Trouble is ahead for the Government either way, but the decision will not long be delayed.