LIBERALS IN BRITAIN.

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXIII, Issue 19511, 15 December 1926, Page 13

LIBERALS IN BRITAIN.

UNITY NOT RESTORED. MORE DIFFERENCES ARISE. LLOYD GEORGE STANDS APART. THE PARTY IN TWO CAMPS. By Telegraph—Press Association— Copyright. (Received 8.15 p.m.) A, and N.Z. LONDON. Dec. 13. There was an important gathering of members of the Liberal Party at a dinner given in honour of Mr. H. V. Phillips, who was Chief Whip of the Liberal Party from 1923 to 1924. In a speech Viscount Grey defined the attitude of supporters of Lord Oxford and Asquith toward Liberal unity. He disclaimed any intention of raising the question of leadership or establishing an organised schism within the party, but he emphasised that it was impossible, even after the retirement of Lord Oxford, to restore unity, because differences were repeatedly arising. These differences, he said, began with the action of the Coalition Government, and although removed in 1923, during the free trade crisis, they broke out again in 1924, regarding the use of Mr. Lloyd George's'fund for a general election, when Mr. Lloyd George disclosed an extraordinary and unexpected desire not to put up the full number of Liberal candidates. Mr. Lloyd George and Strike. Serious disunion had resulted in 1926, owing to Mr. Lloyd George financing the Liberal land campaign, in which supporters of Lord Oxford were not concerned. Neither Lord Oxford nor his friends were responsible for any of these disputes. " Then came the sudden refusal of Mr. Lloyd George to attend the 'Shadow Cabinet' during the general strike," continued Viscount Grey. " This we regarded as an intimation that he was definitely separating. It produced an impression that Mr. Lloyd George expected the strike to bring about a great political upheaval, in which Lord Oxford and others of us would not be desirable political associates. "It is now suggested that we shall again come together upon a feeling of mutual trust. That is absolutely impossible. Confidence has been destroyed. We feel it is impossible to keep step with Mr. Lloyd George, because in a very short Time he would change step. There are already instances of this. Control of Funds. " I do not like the suggestion that the Liberals should aim at the next election to obtain the balance of power in Parliament and insist upon terms with the Labour Party. Such a suggestion will cause resentment among members of the Labour Party and the greatest depression among Liberals. "We also disagree with, Mr. Lloyd George's speech regarding China. It is unprecedented in British politics for one man to control his own fund for political purposes. The disposal of that fund today agitates Liberals; to-morrow it might agitate Conservatives or Labour members. " Whatever is the result of the negotiations regarding the fund we shall stand outside them, but they will not affect our action in advocating the principles ot Liberalism or remaining Liberals. Let us go ahead in our own way. I trust that large public issues and general agreement upon Liberal principles will bring essential unity." The reference by Viscount Grey to Mr. Lloyd George's statement concerning the position in China, is to a speech made recently by Mr. Lloyd George, in which he expressed the opinion that the elements behind the movement in Southern China were not Bolshevik in origin. This view was contradicted by the Earl of Birkenhead, who stated that he spoke with a full knowledge of all the Foreign Office papers Lord Birkenhead predicted that Mr. Lloyd George's remarks would be circulated in China, and would make the task of British statesmen more difficult.