BRITISH PARLIAMENT.

Hawera Star, Volume XLVIII, 4 December 1924, Page 5

BRITISH PARLIAMENT.

, SESSION OPENS. LLOYD GEORGE CHOSEN. AS LIBERAL LEADER. BY CABLE—PBESS ASSOCIATION—COPYBIGHT LONDON, Dec. 2. The House of Commons assembled in a fraternal spirit. The Liberals comfortably filled a couple of benches' below the gangway, once occupied by the Irish Nationalists. It is a middle-aged House, a noticeable feature being the number of bald-headed Labour members. It is noteworthy that Labour wants a dash of youth. Fifty members of the Trade Union group of Labour members of the House held a, .meeting and decided to continue the existence of the group in view of the Conservative threats to introduce an Anti-Trade Union Bill. Mr Watts Morgan was elected chairman of the group in successin to Mr Ben Tillett. After a lively discussion Mr Lloyd George was elected sessional chairman of the Liberal Parliamentary Party. The appointment does not affect Mr H. H. Asquith’s leadership of the Liberal Party. At the meeting of the Liberal Parliamentary Party regarding the leadership, Mr Walter Runciman said he had told Mr Lloyd George personally that he could not support him for the leadership. Captain Wedgwood Benn said even now they did not know where Mr Lloyd George stood regarding Imperial preference, for which he had voted in the House of Commons.

A motion to elect Sir Godfrey Collins as leader was defeated by 26 votes to 9. Mr Lloyd George’s election was then carried by 26 to 7. Sir John Simon abstained from both divisions. Mr Lloyd George, in acknowledging his election, appealed for unity and tolerance. i : The Daily Express says the meeting was adjourned till to-day, when the party’s policy will be considered, and Mr Lloyd George will be asked to declare himself. definitely on various questions. including preference and tariffs for the protection of industry.