BRITISH LIBERALS.

Manawatu Standard, Volume XLVI, Issue 171, 21 June 1926, Page 2

BRITISH LIBERALS.

MR LLOYD GEORGE’S POSITION

“NOT A SOCIALIST.”

LONDON, June 3. Thirty-four Liberals, including Mr Lloyd George, Sir John Simon, and Mr Eunciman, attended a party meeting at tho House of Commons, at which Sir Robert Hutchinson, the Assistant-AVhip, rend a letter from Mr Lloyd George, in the course of which ho said: “Tho foolish story that I have been seeking a pretext to join another party is hardly worth, contradicting. I am not a Socialist, but a Liberal, and deprecate even an alliance with other parties. I believe that Liberialism must strengthen its independent hold on the country, and if it does not obtain a majority at an election should cooperate in measures of which Liberals approve. lam painfully conscious that during tho general strike I pursued a courso alienating the sympathies of some of my truest friends. It was not the first time that my action has been thoroughly unpopular, but I was inspired by a desire to restore peace and goodwill in an industry essential to the restoration of British prosperity.” A deputation was appointed to inform Lord Oxford that the meeting saw no reason why the differences should not bo amicably settled.

TRIBUTE TO LORD OXFORD. LONDON, June 5. Sir John Simon, speaking at a luncheon in his honour at the National Liberal Club, received the greatest cheer when he remarked that the outstanding fact of Lord Oxford’s political career during his 40 years of public life was that he had never been spasmodic or intermittent, nor had he adjusted his views to suit the convenience or the temptations of the moment. The Daily News, which is disposed to favour Mr Lloyd George,

points out that it is significant that neither Lord Oxford nor Sir John Simon mentioned Mr Lloyd George, when alluding to party differences. Those who attended the lunch left disappointed, their only consolation being that the door to unity had not yet been closed.