REUNION OF LIBERALS

Evening Post, Volume CV, Issue 58, 9 March 1923, Page 7

REUNION OF LIBERALS

ASQUITH REPLIES TO OFFERS NO PLACE IN CENTBE PARTY. (KNIIED PRESS ASSOCIATION.—COPTMOHI.) (ABSTRAUAN • NIW ZEALAKD CABLI ASSOCIATION.) (Received Bth March, 10 a.m.) LONDON, Bth March. Mr. Asquith, at Cambridge, dealt with the question of Liberal reunion, and particularly with Mr Lloyd George's Bpeech at Edinburgh suggesting a conference to accelerate reunion. Mr. Asquith said : "I am all for reunion. I believe it inevitable, if we go the right way to secure it, but we ought not to be content with sentimental phrases. I held high office for eleven yearß. Does anyone suppose .that I have not satisfied my ambitions? I only remain in public life in order to help to reinstate the Liberal Party in its rightful position as the responsible custodian of our national fortunes ; but there is no place for me and my friends in a Centre Party. I ask if that idea has been definitely abandoned. I hope Liberal unity is coming quickly. Here is no barring a door which is always open. NO QUARREL WITH LABOUR. "It has been suggested that one result ! of reunion would be a new programme. What is that to be? Will _ it be the slogan of a combined campaign against Labour by the United Liberal Party? That does not appear a sound or attractive watchword. Liberals have no quarrel with Labour as such; they share many aims with the more responsible sections of the Labour Party. Liberals need a tenacious adherence to their old principles and organised propaganda, not by clap-trap rhetoric, but by appealing to history, animated by a sympathetic understanding of the needs of the family of nations."