BRITISH POLITICS.

Manawatu Times, Volume XLIII, Issue 1438, 11 December 1919, Page 5

BRITISH POLITICS.

SITUATION AT HOME. LLOYD GEORGE’S WARNING. AGAINST PARTY STRIFE. [Aust. and N.Z. Cable Association.] LONDON, December S. Mr Lloyd George, in a speech at Manchester Reform Club, addressing the gathering as fellow Liberals, pointed out that conditions within the Liberal Party were distressing during tho past three years, his separation therefore had pained him deeply, but reasons affecting the whole country made the split imperative, though there was no disagreement on questions of principle. He had done his utmost to avert a split, but would have been a traitor if he had acted otherwise than he did, because he believe.] that unless a new spirit was imparted to the war, the Allied cause would be lost. The continuance of national unity was still as necessary now as during the war time. Party conflict should not, be resumed. He never in his lifetime had quarrelled with Mr Asquith, and would never utter a word of unkindness against him. Party strife in America had resulted in jeopardising peace and endangering the League of Nations in a country which took a prominent part to promote it. Was not this a warning? We were not through the wood yet; Germany thought she was able to take advantage of the differences in America. The Premier declared that he was a free-trader. Proceeding, he outlined the legislation passed by the Coali-’ tion Government as evidence of what a so-called reactionary 7 Government had done for progress. He hoped to make a successful contribution to the Irish question. He pointed out that the Unionists were prepared to make great sacrifices in order to preserve national unity. It was useless to discuss problems or Irish liberty when crime and anarchy weie rampant. He denied that free-trade was inseparable from the dumping which had injured free-trade. The Government has been asked to divide the nation in the face of a vigilant enemy, in order to unite Liberals on German dumping.