MR LLOYD GEORGE

New Zealand Times, Volume LIII, Issue 12453, 22 May 1926, Page 4

MR LLOYD GEORGE

QUARREL WITH LIBERALS MAY RESIGN HIS LEADERSHIP TO JOIN LABOUR PARTY? By Telegraph.—Press Assn.—Copyright. (Sydney Sun Cable.) LONDON, May 20. The “Daily Mail’s” political correspondent says that it is expected that Mr Lloyd George will shortly resign the Liberal leadership in tho House of Commons, owing to the chaotic situation resulting from his attempt to force the party to accept his land proposals—a situation made worse by Mr Lloyd George’s variance with Lord Oxford and the other leaders regarding the strike. It is believed that Mr Lloyd George has long been trying to join the Labour Party, but personal enmities have prevented his obtaining the fending position to which he considers himself entitled. WHY HE TOOK OFFENCE Mr Lloyd George, when he received a summons to attend the Liberal “shadow Cabinet” to discuss the party’s strike policy, replied that as the Earl of Asquith and Viscount Grey had already stated the party’s policy in the “British Gazette,” without consulting him, it would no! serve any useful purpose to attend. Viscount Grey subsequently wrote refusing to attend any further meetings at which Mr Lloyd George was present. The meeting was eventually held without Mr Lloyd George. It is signifioent that the “Daily Sketch” also forecasts his imminent resignation. RESIGNATION STORY DENIED Australian and N.Z. Cable Association. Serious differences have arisen among the Liberal Party leaders over their attitude to the general strike. The first indication was Mr Lloyd Geofge’s refusal to discuss the strike policy, as a protest against declarations thereon by Lords Oxford and Grey before the meeting. It was at first reported that Mr Lloyd George’s resignation _of the chairmanship of the Parliamentary Liberal Party was imminent, hut this was officially denied. That Mr Lloyd George intends referring to the Liberal strike policy is indicated by his official announcement that he was not prepared to make a statement in regard to the announcements of differences of opinion with other leaders. Anything he had to say about the strike would he said to his constituents on Wednesday. It is noteworthy that many Liberals are criticising Mr Lloyd George on the grounds of an article on the strike written by him for America, which, they say. is damaging to British prestige and credit abroad.