A MEMORABLE ACHIEVEMENT.

Otago Daily Times, Issue 18730, 7 December 1922, Page 8

A MEMORABLE ACHIEVEMENT.

“We have secured the freedom of tha Straits for which so many died. We prevented war from spreading into Europe with all that that'means, and we prevented a repetition of scenes and spectacles and atrocities which would have made the world shudder. That, I claim, we have done by the resolution, the determination with whim we confronted our difficulties, in spite of all

criticism. We have been harassed on every turn by criticism while conferences were sitting. While negotiations were pending the hand of this country has been weakened, and at last, the combination which, I think, has achieved memorable things for the country has been MR BONAR LAW’S POSITION.

The result, Mr Lloyd George maintained,did not come from the experienced men of the party. “Mr Bonar Law himself hesitated. He was reluctant. I regret that he allowed his judgment to be rushed, not by the best brains of the party, not by the wiser members of the party, but by those of least inexperience and ability. He has put

himself in the position of a horseman of not holding the reins but holding on by the tail—not a particularly secure position. A.i the experienced men were of opinion that until the nation, got through its difficulties it was better that all the elements that made for stability, whatever their party colour, should keep together until the trouble was over.

A WARNING. “This reactionary mutiny, which culminated at the Carlton Club this- week, if it received a majority of the votes of this country, whatever they may say before the election, they will want to carry out their ‘Diehard’ programme. That is what they went out for. They have pursued it with great determination. They mean to make the greatest use of it, and once they are secure after an election, as they will be for

five years, if they have a majority—because, believe me, the House of Lords will be no check upon them —there will be actions, administrative and otherwise, taken which will strengthen at every stage day by day, , week by week, year by year, those subversive elements which are deep down, and which, if they cannot be kept within bounds bv reasonable, sane, sound, progressive legislation, will in the end win the mastery of this country, but with disastrous results.