BRITISH POLITICS

Nelson Evening Mail, Volume LVI, 12 October 1922, Page 5

BRITISH POLITICS

ELECTION BEFORE CHRISTMAS PREDICTED (By Electric Telegraph.—Copyright.) (Australian & N.Z. Cable Association.)

- LONDON, Oct. 10. The Daily -Chronicle predicts a general election before Christmas'. Mr Lloyd George, addressing Belgian delegates 1 who placed wreaths on the Cenotaph as tribute to the British nation’s part in the war, said that “as we were glad to stand by Belgium’s side during .the '\ar we hope to stand by rhe side, .J Belgium ami France and our Allies in the course of peace, it would he a tragedy if wo who marched side by side to face death parted when we had to march together to the reconstruction of the world.” POSITION ELECTRIC LONDON, Oct. 11. The political situation is electric. It is expected that Mr Lloyd George’s speech to Lancashire Coalitionists will be a vigorous counterattack upon critics of the Government's Near East policy, particularly the accusation that the Government sought war. Mr Chamberlain is expected to deal with, home‘'affairs.

Unionists members of the Cabinet met at Downing Street this afternoon, Lord Balfour cancelling a public engagement in order to be present. Sir George Younger also met the Coalition whips and leading Unionist agents. Some predict that Mr Lloyd George will resign and leave the Unionists to carry on the Government until the general election; but it is certain Mr Lloyd George has no intention of retiring from political life. ■The Daily Chronicle says it is as certain as things can be that there will he an election this side of' Christmas. The only doubt is whether the election can take place before the meeting of Parliament in November. The Prime Minister is in. fighting mood. Mr Chamberlain arranged the Birmingham meeting in siipport of Mr Lloyd Geor’go. It is hoped he will deal fully Avith the Conservatives who are trying to break up the Coalition. Mr Chamberlain is giving loyal support to Mr Lloyd George. Reports from the show that not a few Conservative Associations are threatening a revolt as a prelude to annual Unionist conference in November.

Mr Lloyd George’s friends in the Coalition favour an early general election. Some think Mr Lloyd George should retire and allow Mr Chamberlain to form a Cabinet, but it is understood Mr Lloyd George would advise the King to dissolve Parliament in such circumstances.

Sir R. Horne postponed his visit to the United States to discuss the funding ot -war debts and Col. Amery has postponedvhis visit to Canada. The Westminster Gazette declares that Mr Lloyd George is mors anxious about the. revolt in the Coalition ranks than about the attacks of the Opposition. All movements behind the scenes indicate a revival of the struggle -which elicited the threatened resignation earlier in the year. The Premier is still determined to remain master in his own house and will not tolerate the hostile criticism to which he is being subjected by Tory critics and will demand assurances that he will not be stabbed in the back by the Tories at the forthcoming annual meetings. There must t be no talk of a vote of censure or any attack in the Commons on his Near Eastern policy. Mr Lloyd George is very angry and will display anger in some dramatic way. He may make a sudden appeal to the country, dragging the Coalition with him willy nilly tyefore the Tories have time to escape from the ruins. Alternatively lie might retire in disgust for a time in which to meditate upon some plan of action which is sure to'-be distasteful to some f'f his present colleagues. The Westminster Gazette says Mr Bonar Law is being invited to lead the Tories apart from the Coalition. He is not prepared to makes a hostile move against Mr Lloyd George, hut will use his influence to save the Coalition. FRENCH COMMENT PATHS, Oct. 11. A writer in Petit Parisian, referring ( ,iie. demand for Mr Lloyd George’s retirement, ' says according to the best judges of English political custom Mr Lloyd George should ‘have resigned m February or March. ' The close of the Geneva Conference was the turning point. The Russians were the chief cause of his setback. ,At present _he is like a watch with a broken spring. There is,” however, no certainty thatjbe will hearken to the cry for his retirement. If ho fell he would only fall for a while,