A PARTY CRISIS

Otago Daily Times, Issue 20965, 3 March 1930, Page 7

A PARTY CRISIS

DISSENSION IN LIBERAL RANKS. PARTY MEETING TO-MORROW. (United Press Association.) (By Electric Telegraph—Copyright.) - LONDON, March 1. (Received March 2,, at 5.5 p.m.) The Daily News says there is reason to believe that in consequence of the attitude of certain Liberals on the Coal Mines Bill during the debate on Thursday Mr Lloyd George is considering resigning the leadership at a party meeting on Tuesday. He has consulted the leading members of the party. Sir Robert Hutchison, the chief Liberal whip, is also understood to be contemplating resignation. Members of the Liberal shadow Cabinet declare that the Liberals voting with the Government provoked a firstclass party crisis. Sir William Edge’s resignation is being considered at Tuesday’s meeting. LEADER’S INTENTIONS. STATEMENT UNAUTHORISED. LONDON, March 1. (Received March 2, at 5.5 p.m.) The statement that! Mi’ Lloyd George is considering his resignation from the Liberal leadership is entirely unauthorised. SIR WILLIAM EDGE. \ RESIGNATION ACCEPTED. LONDON, March 1. (Received March 2, at 5.5 p.m.) Mr Lloyd George has accepted the resignation of Sir William Edge. On the division on the Coal Mines Bill on Thursday evening every Conservative present, except one /who abstained from voting, voted against the Government. Most of the 54 Liberals followed Mr • Lloyd George and did the same, but four Liberals and four Inde : pendents voted with the Government. Eight Liberals, including Mr Walter Runciman, Sir Donald Maclean, Sir Godfrey Ceilings, and Mr E. D, Simon, saved the Government’s life by not voting. Sir W. Edge, who voted against the Liberal amendment, later tendered ilr Lloyd his resignation as Liberal Whip.