AN IMPASSE

Evening Post, Volume CIII, Issue 53, 4 March 1922, Page 5

AN IMPASSE

THREATENED POLITICAL SPLIT

LIBERALS' ASSURANCE TO THE PREMIER

SIR GEORGE YOUNGER STANDS TO

HIS GUNS,

(UNITED THIS! ASSOCIATION^—COPTRIBHT.)

(AUSTRALIAN • MEW ZEALAND CABLE ASSOCIATION.) LONDON, 2nd March.

The Daily CEronicle states that the political crisis became graver on Wednesday.. In pursuance of a desire by the Unionist leaders to consolidate the Coalii tion ranks, Mr. Chamberlain and Mr. Balfour met Sir George Younger, and discussed the difficulties which had arisen owing to Sir George Younger's public utterances. The latter was not asked to resign, but the grave difficulties in which the Coalition found itself, were stressed. Sir-George Younger stood to his guns, and refused to moiSfy his attitude. , The Unionist leaders are much disappointed. The fact is that Sir George Younger based himself largely on the advice of the Unionist Party agents, whom the Chronicle suggests do not represent the feeling of the constituencies. - • .''

During Wednesday evening Liberal members of the Cabinet dined with Mr. Lloyd George at the Save!/ Hotel, and discussed the situation. ',Those present at the Savoy were Mr. Shortt, Mr. Churchill, Mr. Montagu, Mr. Fisher, Sir Gordon Hevvart, Dr. Macnamara, Sir Alfred Mond, Sir Hamar Greenwood, Captain Gkiest, Mr. < Muriro, and s Mr. M'Curdy. To a man they assured Mr. Lloyd George thai if he felt obliged to resign they would also resign in a body. The feeling amongst Liberals is that the Unionist leaders must keep 'discipline within their party if the Coalition is to keep in being. It is possible that if Sir George Younger goes, the CqaHtion will extricate itself from an awkward situation, but it must be made clear that the Unionist leaders will not' be controverted by the party organisation. It is understood that after the Unionist discussion Mr. Lloyd George took a seripus view of the situation.