BRITISH GOVERNMENT

Evening Post, Volume CXIII, Issue 31, 7 February 1927, Page 9

BRITISH GOVERNMENT

DISCONTENT IN RANKS

OMINOUS BY-ELECTIONS

(United Press Association.—Copyright.) LONDON, sth February.

A commentator on politics, Mr. A. M. Pocrley, .writes: "At the •. opening of Parliament, what Mr. Maxse calls the 'Cabinet of verbiage' will have to face . criticism by both supporters and Oppositionists. Tho most prominent subject during the debate on the •Address-in-Eeply will be China, upon which Labour will move an amendment. Sir Austen Chamberlain will be sharply criticised by Imperialists on both sides of the House, that ho subordinated British interests to enthusiasm for the League of Nations, but the Labour and Liberal massed attack will bo grounded on the alleged

subordination of the usefulness of the League to the care of British interests, to which he can reply that when in office, Mr.'J. E. MaeDonald regarding Egypt, and Mr. Lloyd George regarding Chanak, adopted an identical policy. Both Oppositions would like to fight on the firmer ground, but there is no safe common ground, except possibly China, upon which they are united. GRASPING THE NETTLES. "The , legislation proposed will be much more meagre than that at the previous session, due to the restiveness of the people at the flood of laws. Mr. Baldwin's major planks are unavoidable. The recasting of the Poor Laws, the Reform of the House of Lords, the franchise, and trade union legislation, are all of a most prickly character, but jecent by-elections are forcing the Cabinet to grasp the nettles. As a result of starvation and the coal strike settlement, Labour is disunited, and the most interesting political development in tho immediate future will be a fight between extremists and moderates to capture the party machine, which is at present controlled by the Trades Union Congress.

"Ministers fear that too drastic legislation touching unions may reunite Labour, and measures too mild would be useless. A year ago Mr. MacQuisten's private Bill in this connection -was withdrawn at Mr. Baldwin's request, after the famous speech with the revivalist peroration, 'Lord, give peace in our time. 5 .Instead,.he gave the general and coal strikes, involving losses at present beyond estimation. The Cabinet proposals must also include the betterment of industrial conditions, unless the" Government wishes to face a revolt of the younger Conservatives." ME. ILOYD GEORGE. >'Mr. Lloyd George's three millions bought the kisses of nineteen-twen-tieths of the.. Liberals. The remain-

ing fraction still regard him as the scarlet woman of Liberalism. Whilst forced to tolerate him, they have been careful to create a cave (Liberal Council) to which they can flee, and prove an alibi in the event of his indulging in too fantastic orgies. However, the refusal of such prominent "wee frees " as Sir John Simon and the Marquess of Lincolnshire to join the council, suggests that the "unco guidness" will soon only be a party memory. Nevertheless, it is essential that the Welsh wizard, who is now called an "alchemist," from his ability to produce gold when needed, should justify the purchase. In the coming session, therefore, he will be the Sercest, as well as the most feared, critic of the Government.

BRITAIN'S BEST BRAIN".

"Whether, this will lead, as Mr. Lloyd George hopes, to restoration to offl.ee in two years, is another question, which depends more on the ability of Mr. Baldwin to strengthen the Cabinet by a reduction of numbers, which was postponed owing to the Chines?, crisis, but a place must be found at the soonest possible moment for Britain's best brain, Sir Alfred Mond. This will make three first-class brains in the Cabinet, in the following order: Sir Alfred Mond, Mr. Neville Chamberlain,, and Mr. Amerr."