LABOUR REPLY.

Grey River Argus, 16 October 1922, Page 5

LABOUR REPLY.

ROOT OF UNREST. THE TORY CLASS WAR. CHAMBERLAIN ’S FAME EXPOSED. [A. and N.Z. Cable Association.] (Rec. October 15, 5.5 p.m.) LONDON, October 14. The Rt. Hon. Mr J. R. Clynes, Labour M.P., replying to Mr Austen Chamberlain, in a speech at Reading, said:—Bolshevism was produced in Russia by the supprosit n of all popular liberty; and a rebellion can be also fomented in Britain by the Ministers seeking to put the Labour Party outside the pale of constitutional action. Air Chamberlain's pronouncement, he said, was a menace to Labour; and it would deepen the existing class-anta-gonisms. “The Labour Party,” said Mr Clynes “is as constitutional as any other political party. It cannot always be blamed for decisions which the trade unions may reach on the industrial question.” The trade unions, lie added, had recently threatened to advise a strike, in order to prevent another war; but if the Ministers failed to use the League of Nations and if they kept Parliament closed in the time of a crisis, then they ought not to be surprised at the threat of strike action. ELECTION LIKELY. AMAZING DEVELOPMENTS. LONDON, October 13. The political situation is developing in an amazing manner. Everybody is hanging on Mr Lloyd George’s and Mr Chamberlain’s coming speeches, the purport of which nobody knows. The only apparent certainty is the proximity of the election. xncre arc various estimates of the date, all conjectural. One, usually well informed, suggests that Mr Lloyd George who is the absolute arbiter in the matter, will effect a dramatic coup, forcing an election during the first week of November. It is significant that his closest confidants make no sign of knowledge. It is believed that ho has not taken into In's confidence any except a few selected members of the Cabinet. Some Conservatives advocate a wholesale stampede from the Coalition, even mentioning Lord Derby’s name as Leader. Lord Derby does not d-eny or affirm anything in this connection. The Coalitionists, notably the “Daily Chronicle,” argue that if the Conservatives light the Coalition Liberals at the elections, Labour will possibly win 200 to 250 seats. The “Chronicle” declares that fne Labourites are already counting on the possibility of a split, instancing the principal organiser’s declaration in a recent speech that the Labourites may possibly be charged with the formation of a Government. LLOYD GEORGE DEFENDED. SY HIS WIFE. LONDON, October 12. Dame Lloyd George, supporting the Coalition candidate for Leytonstone. said that a general election could not be very far away, though she could not say exactly when it would come. Recently, when the issues of peace and war wero in the balance, unscrupulous speakers and scribblers had their fling and played a most contemptible part. They had shown no consideration for those engaged in preventing the fires of Smyrna crossing into Europe, ami in keeping the freedom of the Straits. The Government and Allies succeeded in inducing a moderation of tho Turks ’ demands. During the crisis, Ministers wero unable to indulge in. domestic controversies, but when Mr Lloyd George spoke on Saturday, his supporters would not be disappointed in his reply.