The Sun WEDNESDAY, DECEMBER 6, 1916. MR LLOYD GEORGE RESIGNS.

Sun (Christchurch), Volume III, Issue 881, 6 December 1916, Page 6

The Sun WEDNESDAY, DECEMBER 6, 1916. MR LLOYD GEORGE RESIGNS.

The resignation of Mr Lloyd George as a protest against Mr Asqiiith's intention to continue as a member of the War Council, is a drastic step which consigns Imperial politics once more to the melting pot. In view of Mr Asquith's capacity for negotiating political rapids and his statement that the King had approved of the reconstruction of the Government, the breakaway of the Minister of War has certain of the elements of a bolt from the blue, though, as was noted in these columns yesterday, all the evidence pointed to the Coalition Government being doomed. The Unionist ultimatum to Mr Asquith requesting his resignation, the inspired statement in "Reynolds' Weekly" wherein it was suggested that Mr Lloyd George was prepared as a last resource to appeal from the Cabinet direct to the people, and "The Times's" report to the effect that Mr Bonar Law, the Unionist leader, had informed Mr Asquith of his and his colleagues' intention to support Mr Lloyd George: all were straws showing the drift of the political wind. Apparently Mr Asquith's last card was his consultation with the King and his Majesty's approval of the suggestion for Cabinet reconstruction. To that play, Mr Lloyd George has replied with a heavy trump—his resignation—and the signs are that the Coalition Government, as al present constituted, and Mr Asquith himself are to be displaced, ostensibly for the purpose of ensuring a more effective prosecution of the war. The breach between the Prime Minister and his erstwhile colleague is definite and final, and the settlement of the problem which arises will not be an easy matter. If the Unionists are behind Mr Lloyd George (who is supported by Mr Bonar Law) in sufficient strength, no alternative is left Mr Asquith but to resign, seeing that he would not command a majority, and the King must then send for the Unionist leader, in the constitutional way. It would remain for Mr Bonar Law to form a Cabinet, and, if the necessary support were forthcoming from the Liberals, to proceed with the general reconstruction of the Government on the lines laid down by the opponents of Mr Asquith. Should the Unionists fail to command a majority, it seems as though a general election would be required to solve the political problem, and it is possible that we may yet witness the extraordinary spectacle of an election campaign on sharply divided parly lines in a country which is lighting for its very existence as a inajor nation. Perhaps the best way out of the difficulty would be for Mr Asquith to bow to the will of his more powerful and influential colleagues, and allow the War Council suggested by Mr Lloyd George to assume the direction of the war in active cooperation with Sir John Jellicoe and Sir William Robertson. England can scarcely afford to become involved in a widespread political tangle with the European struggle approaching its climax. Whatever the important

reasons which have actuated the trenchant opposition to the Prime Minister, the fact remains that the most vigorous section of his own colleagues is insistent that a change of leaders is both desirable and necessary if England's part in the war is to produce the maximum results in the shortest possible time. We are likely to be enlightened soon as to the causes which have operated to bring about the present position for Mr Lloyd George, now that he has resigned, wilT be free to speak his mind. Hence revelations and explanations can be expected presently. Meanwhile the Northcliffe Press may be relied on to keep the political pot simmering. The dictator-like Lord Northcliffe is not easily thwarted once he sets his mind to a particular purpose. II will be interesting to sec the significance our enemies will place on the situation. [Since the above was written an "extraordinary" from London announces the resignation of the Prime Minister.]