BRITISH POLITICAL ARENA

New Zealand Herald, Volume LVII, Issue 17475, 20 May 1920, Page 5

BRITISH POLITICAL ARENA

« V LLOYD GEORGE'S PLANS. MAY LEAD NEW PARTY. LONDO> , May I Lady Bonham Carter, a daughter- of Mi Asquith, in a caustic article in the Sunda; Herald, discusses the prevalence of snob bery and humbug, which is crippling al effort# at social unity. •' There are a hundred varieties of politi cal cant," she says. "For example, peopl denounce the iniquities of labour who hav never seen a slum or done a hand's tun in their lives. Similarly Labour cant pil lories the capitalist as a top-hatted ogre with a huge paunch. anfl heavy watch . chain. " Canting so-callefl democrats, inspire* by political opportunism, applaud 80l shevik rule, well knowing that it is i grinding form of tyranny.' Political correspondents agree that th decision of the National Liberal Federa t'on Conference, at which the Asquithiai Liberals decided to have no further deal ings with the Coalition Liberals* is irre vocable. The Coalition Liberals foresaw the disruption some months ago, an< started a separate electoral organisation to wh'ch the critics now assign the roll of Cinderella, attached to the Unionis forces. How will the Prime 'Minister handle tin opportunity? At present he is a silen onlooker, and is credited with a feeling 0 amused gratificat ; on. It : s believed tha he intends to establish a " national demo cratic party," allying itself with, and i possible absorbing," Coalition Liberals It is unl'kelv tint this enterprise will b< fully launched before the autumn, aw meanwhile the Prime Minister will c'eai off h'R personal share in the inter-Alliec negotiations, and will then go on a ljoli day under urgent medical advice. A UNION OF PARSONS. LONDON, May 3. A National Clerical Union has been started for the purpose of securing a minimum wage for the clergy, the recognition of their war service, and pensions {or members and their dependants.