IMPERIAL POLITICS

Otago Daily Times, Issue 18510, 22 March 1922, Page 5

IMPERIAL POLITICS

PRIME MINISTER’S PLANS. THE “WEE FREE” POLICY. PRODIGALS’ RETURN AWAITED. Press Association—By Telegraph-Copyright. LONDON, March 20. The latest reports from Criccieth (Wales) state that Mr Lloyd George has no immediate intention of resigning. He expects to return to London on March 30, when he will address the House of Commons on the prospects of the Genoa Conference, and will demand a vote of confidence before going. The Liberal papers significantly point out that the “Wee Free” door is wide open for prodigals to return, but suggest that the party should demand the abolition of the Anti-dumping Bill and a complete return to Freetrade, together with the reimposition of taxation of land values. — A. and N.Z. Cable. (Received March 21, at 5.5 p.m.) Sir Worthington Evans, speaking at the Wandsworth Constitutional Club, said he hoped that the health of Mr Lloyd George would permit him to continue to lead the Coalition. If the doctors said his retirement or a prolonged holiday was necessary, .he hoped that the Coalition would continue. Perhaps the Coalition would continue under a different leader.—A. and N.Z. Cable. THE LABOUR PARTY. KILMARNOCK SEAT. MR ANDREW FISHER’S CANDIDATURE. LONDON, March 21. (Received March 21, at 7.45 p.m.) The Scottish Labour newspaper Forward explains the circumstances under which Mr Andrew Fisher’s candidature was rejected by the Labour Party at Kilmarnock. Mr Fisher declared himself a Socialist, and amazed the delegates by the answers which he gave to questions. He was asked if £500,000 was paid to members of the Royal Family, wovild it not be better if it were expended on relief for the unemployed? He replied that the Royalties were worth every penny they got. Replying to other questions, he disagreed with the advocates of disarmament, and said he thought the navy should be strengthened. He disapproved of the nationalisation of mines.