NEXT BRITISH ELECTION.

New Zealand Herald, Volume LIX, Issue 18025, 25 February 1922, Page 9

NEXT BRITISH ELECTION.

POSITION STILL OBSCURE.

WARNING TO CONSERVATIVES.

BAITING OF THE PREMIER.

LIMIT TO HIS PATIENCE. By Ttlecraph—Press Association— Copyright. (Received 6.30 p.m.) A. and N.Z. LONDON, Feb. 23. The position is obscuro regarding the general election. Frequent rumours lately of Mr. L'oyd George's intention to resign add interest to an important fighting speech delivered by Lord Birkenhead at the Junior Constitution Club.

Lord Birkenhead vehemently defended the Coalition. In the three years since the armistice, he said, the British had stood like a beacon in an uustablo and

faltering world, and had showed that in Europe thero was one people that had confidence in its Government. Tho demand for a dissolution of the Coalition was the counsel of insanity. Tho great Conservative leaders outside the Govorn-

lent, Mr. Bonar Law and tho Duke of

Devonshire, agree with this. Referring to the Prime Minister, Lord Birkenhead said: "I think it extromely

unlikely that a statesman of worldwide reputation like Mr. Lloyd George, will submit indefinitely to the kind of

contumely and criticism to which he is now exposed. There is not tho slightest chanco in existing conditions of an In-

dependent Unionist Government obtaining an adequate majority in the country. Independent Liberals do not count, but there is tho great menace of the Labour Party, which is winning seats daily. It will continue to win seats until it is faced by a body of coherent, intelligent doctrine expressed by courageous men who understand their own minds."