Manawatu Evening Standard. SATURDAY, MARCH 21, 1931. CRISIS IN LIBERAL PARTY

Manawatu Standard, Volume LI, Issue 94, 21 March 1931, Page 8

Manawatu Evening Standard. SATURDAY, MARCH 21, 1931. CRISIS IN LIBERAL PARTY

The. British Government’s defeat in the House of Commons on an important' clause in the Representation of the People Bill has led to. a new and serious crisis in the Liberal Party. The clause related to the representation of the Universities which the Labour . Government proposed to abolish because, as stated during’ the second reading- of the Bill, early in Eebruary, its retention was opposed to democratic principles and because many voters were given a dual franchise. The fact that “twelve members, mostly Tories,” represent Universities having a voting strength of 120,000 was held by Mr Jy R. Clynes, during the second reading debate, to be unjustifiable. Although the second reading was earned by a majority of 65 votes, it was evident that the Bill would meet with greater opposition in committee when important amendments would be moved. The defeat of the Government, however, did not seem possible in view of the Liberal support -of the Government, but tradition- dies hard with an Englishman. Thus, when Lord Hugh Cecil moved the rejection of the clause abolishing University representation, on the committee stage being reached at the beginning of this week, there was Liberal support for the Conservatives, and the Government failed to retain the clause by 246 votes to 242.

University representation in the British House of Commons dates from 1603 when Oxford and Cambridge Universities were given the right to return two unembers. London University, Glasgow and Aberdeen, and Edinburgh and St. Andrew’s, gained representation under the Reform Act of 1867, the number of members so returned being increased to seven, two being apportioned to the four Scottish Universities. Under the legislation passed in 1918 the representation was still further increased, two members being sent to the House of Commons by the Combined English Universities, one each 4>y the University. of Wales and Queen’s University, Belfast, while the Scottish Universities were granted an additional member. Members of the University retain for life the privilege of voting, and if living abroad they forward their vote, if time permits, by post or appoint a proxy. The MacDonald Government were rather ill-advised to try and bre'alc down such an historical association between the Universities and the Mother of Parliaments, and opposition was directed in part on this line and also on the ground that the House of Commons has received valued members through the Universities.

1 The failure of the Liberals to present a united front when the drucial division was taken has na-

turally aroused the ire of Mr Lloyd George. He has no desire to see the Bill imperilled for, although it does not give the Liberals all they desire in reforming the electoral laws of Great Britain, it provides in the alternative vote what Sir H. Samuel described at the second reading debate as the “second best system to proportional representation,” one which “prevented the worst evils of the present system.” Leaders of the Liberals, whose strength in the Housje of Commons declined to 59 after the last general election, fear that, unless the law is amended, they may suffer even perhaps annihilation at the next election, and for this reason favour the abolition of the “first past the post” system. The Prime Minister has stated that -when the report stage of the Bill is reached he will seek to have the clause restored. It will then be seen whether Mr Lloyd George has been able to unite his party in one voting strength, allowing for those members who have definitely refused to vote for the Labour Administration. Thirty-five Liberals attended a conference with their Leader whereat, it is believed, a scheme was propounded to support the Labour Government which in turn will be asked to carry out a definite policy the Liberals favour. A decision was postponed : until Tuesday, and from this fact it may be accepted that opposition among ..certain Liberals to destroying University representation has not yet been overcome.