The Guardian (And Evening Star, with which is incorporated the West, Coast Times.) MONDAY, APRIL 16th, 1923. BRITISH POLITICS.

Hokitika Guardian, 16 April 1923, Page 2

The Guardian (And Evening Star, with which is incorporated the West, Coast Times.) MONDAY, APRIL 16th, 1923. BRITISH POLITICS.

Till-; Bonar Law Ministry suffered a defeat lust wock in a snap division. Although the defeat, arose through a misunderstanding, and can lie revised veiy quickly, the occasion was important enough to excite considerable interest, and draw forth much comment front the opponents of the government. It appears, however, to have been a blessing in disguise as tending to improve the position of the Unionist Party, which is likely to he drawn more closely together. One weakness of the Ministry is its leadership due to the poor health of Mr Bonar Law. Capable as he is. and enjoying the confidence of more than his own party, his broken health as a result of tlie strenuous times in office during the war period, is a handicap for himself and tho Government. His most able successor, Mr Austen Chamberlain, has remained loyal to the Coalition pact and refused to join the Ministry. Now that the Liberal divisions are disposed to reunite, and Mr Lloyd George will lie definitely absored by a party, Mr Chamberlain will be free himself to again join up with the l iilonist party, and if so, along with other e.x-Minis-ters, would he a tower of strength to the Government. If the present House of Commons reverts to the old party lines, the Bonar Law Ministry will still retain a working majority, and will be the more sound in fact by reason of the Fusion of the true Unionist groups. The different branches of the Liberals are already tending in a like direction so far as their party is concerned, and as there is no doubt about tbe solidity of the Labor party, the three party system will he well established to Great Britain. The Labor party is as assertive as ever, and certainly more demonstrative. The extreme sections, however, are its danger. There was the spectacle the other day of the leader, Mr Bamsav MacDonald, having to reprimand the members of the party for singing “The Red Flag” in the House of Commons. It was a heinous offence, there, as elsewhere, where there is recognised constitutional government. and if all leaders of labor bad the same amount of backbone as the British leader. and kept the “reds” in check, there would he more hope ior the party with the people. Folk will not countenance the encouragement of tho state of red revolution which the Bed Flag sentiment encourages. and those who indulge in that melody are but putting a curb on the political ambitions of the party as a party. Evidently Labor in the House of Commons are believers in song as an expression of feelings, and the other day, the Red Flag being tabooed by their leader,

they chimed in with “John Brown’s Body’’. It is not a very decorous proceeding and suggests that where there are the extremists there will be the surprises for the confiding public responsible for helping such folk into Parliament, It is being predicted at Home that sooner or later there will he a combination of Unionists and Liberals to combat Labor at the polls. The late extension of the franchise in Great Britain has given Labor its opportunity and the extravagant orators who go about the country are winning over many to their side. A fusion cf the two original political paities at Home means a state of coalition which Mr Lloyd George and Mr Austen Chamberlain were recently anxious to retain for the political safety of the country. The rash “diehards” on both sidis—the extremists in fact were opposed to that policy, and thereby they have given Labor its greatest opportunity as yet at. the polls. Many of the party are impressive by their actions, but the extremist section is so rabid that they are likely to over-rule or otherwise upset ti.o good work their political leaders ato capable of doing on their behalf.