British Politics

Hawke's Bay Tribune, Volume XIII, Issue 313, 20 December 1923, Page 5

British Politics

THE LIBERAL ATTITUDE. SPEECH BY MR. ASQUITH. FAIR FIELD FOR LABOUR. London, Dec. 18. Mr. Asquith cleared and crystallised the political situation in a speech at the National Liberal Assembly, especially in a statement that a Labour Government could hardly be tried under safer conditions. He added: “Whoever may be the incumbents of office, it is we Liberals, if we understand our business, who really control the situation.” Mr. Asquith went on to define the conditions under which the Prime Minister was entitled to demand a dissolution from the King. It would be subversive of constitutional usage and pernicious to the interests of the nation if a minority of less than onethird could demand a dissolution. The newspapers regard Mr. Asquith’s speech as an indication that the King should not grant a dissolution to Mr. Ramsay MacDonald if he takes office, and as a sign that Mr. Asquith would not be unwilling to take office when Labour was defeated. Mr. Asquith’s insistence upon unconditional independence of the Liberal party w’as loudly cheered. Apparently Mr. Asquith intends the Liberals anil Labourites shall join forces to defeat the Government on the debate on the Address-m-Reply, commencing on January 15. Later, when Labour is beaten by a combination of Unionists and Liberals, the latter would accept office in order to avoid an immediate general election. The Unionists would then, under an honourable obligation. maintain the Liberals in office and not attack the Liberal policy in the country. The “Daily Express” says it agrees with Mr. Asquith that Labour ought to have its chance. Nothing is more certain to damage the best interests of the country and warp its growth than a manoeuvre by which Labour would be diddled out of the opportunity to shoulder real responsibility.. To load the dice against Labour by an unreal combination of the two other parties would drive the country into ac lass war. which is its greatest peril. The “Daily Chronicle” says Mr. Asquith’s speech makes it clear than Labour cannot claim a dissolution while an alternative Ministry is prepared to govern with the support of the majority in Parliament. Sir John Bradbury, while selecting two British representatives fjbr the Reparations Committees, made a surprise visit to Mr. Ramsay MacDonald, who was spending a holiday at Lossiemouth. Sir John Bradbury explains he consulted Mr. MacDonald as he had consulted Mr. Baldwin and Mr. Asquit.i, no; as a prospective Prime Minister.

The “Daily Herald” says that Mr. Asquith declared the power to dissolve belongs not to the Prime Minister, hut to the Sovereign. That is flummery. The Sovereign can act only upon the advice of his Ministers. Mr. Asquith knows that as well as anybody.—(A. and N.Z.)