BRITISH ELECTION PROBLEM

New Zealand Herald, Volume LIX, Issue 17984, 9 January 1922, Page 5

BRITISH ELECTION PROBLEM

UNIONIST MANOEUVRES. LLOYD GEORGE'S LEADERSHIP ANXIETY FOR RETENTION. By Telegraph—Press Association—Copjricht. (Received 2.13 pjn.) A. and N.Z. LONDON, Jan. 7. The London Observer, explaining the political situation, states that Sir George Younger, chairman of the Unionist Party Organisation, argues that before an election there must be corneas at any coat, whether by a split of the Coalition or by fusion, otherwise the Coalition Liberals might hold the balanoe of power in the next Parliament, as Conservatives must lose a large number of seats whether an election comes eoon or late. Mr. Lloyd George, with a smaller majority in the House of Commons might he more than ever master of the uituation and able to make and unmake ministries and combinations as he pleased.

Sir George Younger is opposed to an election op sudi terms, proceeds the writer, and he wil! bo equally opposed to it later, on the game terns. Sir George Younger'a protest means nothing if not that the Unionists while they have preponderant power in the House of Commons must either mate sure of Mr. Lloyd George's leadership beforehand or face the alternative of doing without him. The kernel of Sir George Younger's case is reform of the House of Lords before a dissolution, whereby Conservative interests would be strengthened against the possible extremism of a future Labour majority, but to carry in the present Parliament reform of the House of Lords on any plan satisfactory to the Unionists, Mr. Lloyd George would hav« to antagonise implacably both Labour and the Independent Liberals. Therapy the Conservatives' problem of making sure of Mr. Lloyd Goorge would bs ingeniously solved. The Daily Mail states that the Coalition Government is in great difficulties over the heralded general election, which has been provisionally fixed by Coalition Whips for February 11, when Mr. Lloyd George is desirous of appealing to the country on cries of "Peace in Ireland," and "Economy at Home," on the lints of recommendations of Sir Eric Geddea' committee. Mr. Bonar Law is desirous of returning to tho Cabinet, which is conveniently possible only after a general election, when he will replace Mr. Balfour. Mr. Austen Chamberlain is opposed to an election, i»id has official Unionist backiag. Lord ? 'Lr t "'.'wad «rith him.

It rv iowort!; - ;\t the Unionist leaders 'Js pledged i>. i<& House of Lords reform before the prtsent House of Commons disappears, a promise which the rank and file are not likely to forget. The technical disadvantages of an election before the House meets are considerable. Moneys are required for the Public Service#, which the H-vjso of Commons normally votes. During its adjournment, it is usual to meet by temporarily resorting fcj. the Civil Contingency Fand, which, however, at present is almost exhausted. Meanwhile foroes against the election ai* gaining daily. The business community wishes for a respite till trade has revived.