BRITISH POLITICS

Hawera & Normanby Star, Volume XLII, Issue XLII, 14 October 1922, Page 7

BRITISH POLITICS

THE EXPECTED ELECTION

, AMAZING DEVELOPMENTS

THE HOPES OF LABOUR

dV CABLJj—PRESS ASSOCIATION—COPYRIGHT Received Oct. 14, 8.45 a.m. LONDON, Oct. 12.

The political situation is developing in an amazing manner, and every-, thing 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 an election. There are various estimates of the date and all are conjectural. One who is usually well informed suggests that Mr. Lloyd George, who is absolute arbiter of 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 and it is believed that he has not taken into his 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 of the party. Lord Derby does not deny or affirm it. In this connection the Coalitionists, notably the Daily Chronicle,- argue that if the Conservatives fight the Coalition-Liberals at the elections Labour will possibly will 200 to 250 seats.

The Chronicle declares that the Labourites are already counting on the possibility of a split, instancing^ the principal organiser's declaration in a recent speech that the Labourites would possibly be charged with the formation of a Government.—Aus.N.Z. Cable Assn.