COALITION DIFFERENCES

Evening Star, Issue 17921, 17 March 1922, Page 5

COALITION DIFFERENCES

A HETEROGENEOUS GOVERNMENT.

THE POSITION CANVASSED,

Press Association—By, Telegraph—Copyright.

LONDON, March 16. (Received March IV, at 9.50 a.m.)

The political situation remains most confused. The anti-Coalition Press insists that the recent actions of the Conservative Party, as indicating a revolt against Lloyd George’s leadership, must force tho-i'rime Minister’s early resignation. On the other hand, leading Conservatives themselves declare that their only idea now is to reunite the party, which, owing to the defection of the “.Die-hards,” is in danger of disintegration. They insist that the questions of the Prime Minister's resignation, the composition of the succeeding Ministry, and the time of the General Election must be considered absolutely subsidiary to the one crowning necessity of Conservative unity. All sections have now agreed to sink present and past differences and to stand together. If the predominant feeling of the party is against Mr Lloyd George the parly will leave him. If it is favorable the parly will give him support; but in any case it will act as a whole. A general amnesty between the followers and the leaders will be declared. While the permanency of this arrangement cannot be guaranteed in view of the present political state of llux, it is essentially a victory for the great hulk of the moderate Conservative members, who are neither “ Die-hards ” nor desperately enamored of the Coalition.

It is learned from sources in close touch with the Prime Minister that the relations between him and tiro Conservative leaders arc most amicable, and they avo working in tho fullest co-operation._ The unfortunate slate of the Prime Minister s health at present renders personal conlercnccs impossible.

The story that Mr Lloyd George’s resignation is in the hands ot Mr Chamberlain is without fouiKlati.w.i. Ho will certainly go to Genoa. .Moreover, he is very desirous of seeing the Irish question completely through. It is undeniable that a great deal of unrest has been .observable, not only in the Conservative rank and file, but also among the. Coali-tion-Liberals.

Though neither party as a whole desires an immediate election, opinion is inclined to view tint October will be most suitable. Tim interval will be devoted to efforts towards forming a Centro Party, which it is understood both Mr Lloyd George and the Cabinet generally are convinced should be (and eventually must be) formed.—A. and N.Z. Gable. •