BRITISH POLITICAL STIR.

New Zealand Herald, Volume LVII, Issue 17429, 26 March 1920, Page 5

BRITISH POLITICAL STIR.

LLOYD GEORGE'S SLOGAN. | COALITION OR BOLSHEVISM. -HINT OF APPEAL TO COUNTRY. By Telecraph—Press —Copyright (Received 11.30 p.m.) United Service. LONDON, March 22. The Westminster Gazette says that it, would not surprise anyone in the inner political circle if the Prime Minister were to rush the Budget through and announce a dissolution. His intimates affirm that Mr. Lloyd George really believes in the existence of a " red" peril in Britain. Hence his party's new electioneering i slogan, " Coalition or Bolshevism." The question of an immediate appeal to the .country depends on the results of several pending by-elections.

MR. ASQUITH'S ANSWER.

NO FUSION WITH UNIONISTS. THE TORY CHARIOT WHEEL. By Telegraph—Press Association—Copyright. (Reed. 11.30 p.m.) LONDON, March 24. Mr. H. H. Asquith, in a speech at the National Liberal Club, said that the Prime Minister's challenge ought to be taken up immediately. The proposal for fusion was being watered down into closer co-operation. The real point was whether they were going to respond to the Prime Minister's invitation, since Labour was hostile and since Independent Liberalism intended to remain independent? Were they going to link up with Tory organisations satisfying Mr. Lloyd George's definitions and likely to supply his need ? Why should they! Why should Liberals abdicate their primary functions as a great historic party? Mr. Asquith expressed the opinion that nothing more would be seen of the AntiDumping Bill, and declared the Government's Irish BUI did not seek to amend but to repeal the Home Rule Act and substitute for it a fantastic scheme "which was a travesty on self-government. Liberals were asked to agree to fusion owing to the new peril vulgarly called Bolshevism.

Mr. Asquath denied that there was any antithesis between Liberalism and Labour. Labour owed everything to Liberalism and there were many roads, they could travel side by side. The Prime Minister's appeal was on the lines of class cleavage and was most mischievous. Free Liberals were not going to be tied to the Tory chariot wheels. They were going to retain, preach, and practice their principles.