THE OTAGO DAILY TIMES TUESDAY, DECEMBER 11, 1923. AFTER THE BATTLE.

Otago Daily Times, Issue 19041, 11 December 1923, Page 6

THE OTAGO DAILY TIMES TUESDAY, DECEMBER 11, 1923. AFTER THE BATTLE.

The known result of the British elections in its effect upon the strength of the various political parties has sent speculation hotfoot along the" trail of the possibilities of the immediate future. The difficulties attaching to the unpre ceclented situation that has been created are generally speaking clear. How they are to be circumvented is decidedly uncertain. In the circumstances an extraordinary amount of interest, which is not confined to Great Britain, is being focussed upon the new three-cornereu Parliament. So far the comments offeree by party leaders and the newspapers respecting the prospects for a working party agreement that will enable the government of the country to be carried on are not very helpful. Lord Younger, chief Conservative organiser, speaks on the subject as becomes an old campaigner, and finds the situation “most interesting." Although personally professing to ybara for the quiet refuge of the Opposition benches hfi suggestion is that his party, being toestrong to decline responsibility albeii not strong enough to do anything effective, should carry on with the benevolent support of another party—meaning, of course, the Liberals and on the understanding that the legislation introduced should be of a non-contentious charac ter. If Lord Younger means to imply that it is doubtful whether Mr Baldwin will resign he takes a view which it h difficult to accept.- Mr Baldwin ap pealed to the country on a distince issue. He received a distinct rebuff, and the probabilities seem all in favour of his resignation. It may be that neither of the other two political parties can form a Government, and that the opportunity of seeing whether they can carry on will remain with the Conservatives.- They can only take advantage, of it by arrangement with the Liberals. If the latter behave in what Lord Younger implies would be a becoming manner, they will manifest a benevolent disposition and keep the Government in office. But according to Lord i'ounger the Conservatives certainly do not want another 'coalition, and in the circumstances Conservative willingness to accept all the help which the Liberals can give and unwillingness to join up with them, form the basis of what must seem to be a rather cool proposition. It is only through some working arrangement between the Conservatives and the Liberals, however, that an absolute deadlock can be avoided. There seems no reason to look for another election for a solution of the impasse that has been brought about. Another election would not clarify matters, nor is there any assurance that it would at any time give one party a majority over the other two combined. A Liberal-Labour combination is not to be regarded as a seriouspossibility judging by statements from Labour leaders, even, which is not very likely, were the Liberals inclined towards such an alliance. It is out of the question that there can be any joining up of the Conservatives with Labour. Everything points to an arrangement between the Conservatives and the Liberals as the solution of the problem of how the government of the country is to be carrier] on, whether this means that the Conservatives hold office at the sufferance of the Liberals or vice versa. If the business of government is to* be conducted cn that basis the claims of ■

the Conservatives as the strongest party in the House cannot be ignored. .But it is not to be expected that the Liberals will be in a self-effacing mood. Anri despite the strong feeling that obtains against coalitions the expediency of some representation of both parties in a Government formed under such conditions must be more or less apparent It is easy to understand that the pride of the Conservative Party ivould suffer not a little in holding office at the will of the Liberals, and in being perforce content with legislation that would not go beyond a programme such as Mr Bonar Law had in mind when he spoke of tranquility as the watchword of his party. It is difficult to believe that the Conservatives will consent to place themselves in so humiliating a position. On the other hand it is no easier to believe that the Liberals will be meekly content to play a purely benevolent part such as they are likely to consider quite out of keeping with their political prestige. A further consideration is the danger which, it is suggested, a coalition with the Conservatives would constitute to the solidarity of the Liberal Party. Like retribution after what the, Daily Mail calls a throat-cutting campaign comes the necessity for compromise with party sensitiveness. Whatever' happens, however, it should not be beyond the genius of the new Parliament to find some way out of these difficulties 1 .