TO COMBAT SOCIALISM

New Zealand Times, Volume XLVI, Issue 10544, 22 March 1920, Page 5

TO COMBAT SOCIALISM

STATESMAN'S. WARNING “OUR PERIL IS GREAT,” SAYS MR LLOYD GEORGE. By ' Telegraph—Press Assn.—Copyright Australia' Vml‘ N.Z! table Association. (Received March 21, 5:5: p.ui.) ’■ LOAD OX, March 19. Mr Lloyd George’s reception at the Coalition Liberal meeting shoved that his personal popularity' has not been impaired. He- had a great ovation, hk opening address being punctuated by cheers. „,0))e.. huudryd. and sixteen, members were present. Mr .Lloyd George did not use the word fusion in his address, which was mainly a plea for the continuance for coalition on the ground of the peril the country has to face as .well ..as”the gamble .of Socialism. He continued that the real danger would bo in the conflict between Liberals and-Unionists-in which the .a .temporary majority. The--Socialists-were- beginning by demanding the nationalisation, of ' industries. ... “If tried,” added the Prime Minister, “this experiment in Socialism would fail, but would be ‘ harmful Because once prosperity departs it rtfi'Jly' T comes hack again, so our peril is great,” ’THE DUTY-’OEUYLL ’PARTIES. Australian and N.Z. Gable Association. - -'LONDON (-* March 18. The - Premier defined his position and indicated. his- ■ future policy. He strongly urged the Liberals to join hands with the Unionists to fighti’th'e' Socialistic Labour Party, which was reaping the results of ififtify 1 'y‘efiW If 'of 'propaganda by the Sodfilist“\\dng.'^!He' l EEud.,he be-, lieved in Enterprise. "Common ownership Inf" Britain would ’ correspond with French Communism and Russian Bolshevism. Wliile lie remained a Liberal, lie considered ft. the duty of all parties to combine against Socialism. No party at the present time was able to command a “majority'; and” Conservatives and "Liberals' should” not”* itgh f suicidally, and enable “La,Bohr" fd trie umph. The policy of the new Coal, tion would be peace at homo and abroad, opposition to Socialism, and the development of the League of Nations. He denied that he had’any -iiv--airy with Mr Asquith. It is noteworthy that the Independent Liberals (Air Asquith’s .party), did ndfc accept the invitation to attend the meeting. SPEECH SHARPLY CRITICISED. (Received March2l, -.5.5- p,m>) ~ The TTarmsworth uowfwiapers. sharply. criticise Mr Lloyd. George for identify-, ing Labour with Socialism and urge thifc it is a false and dangerous doctrine for it proclaims class warfare. NO FUSIONiii? UNIONISTS. (Received '.Marihi.2l,-5-5 IP-sPi).i. LONDON,. March 17. The meeting between Air Lloyd George and "the Coalition Liberal Ministers showed that he has a .strong feeling against fusion with the Unionists. There would he several’ Liberal resignations if the scheme were persisted in. A number of Unionist peers alsb object to the fusion, .-It AS likely .that AirLloydf G eopggls jtoheme will he„,consid-. erably modified. ’ '