CABINET CRISIS.

Sun (Christchurch), Volume III, Issue 882, 7 December 1916, Page 7

CABINET CRISIS.

ASQUITH'S SUCCESSOR.

BONAR LAW SENT FOR. CONDUCT OF THE WAR. Ar/strcJ'.an end A /.. Cable Aejfocietien LONDON, December 5. A report published this morning that Mr Lloyd George had visited the King was untrue. Mr Bonar Law was summoned to Buckingham Palace at 5.30 p.m. He is suggested as a likely Premier, allowing Mr Lloyd George and Sir Edward Cai son to run the war on the basis of permitting Sir John Jellicoc and Sir Wm. Robertson a free hand. A GENERAL ELECTION. THE PROBABLE OUTCOME. Auitralien and VZ. Cable ieeoriatlon. LONDON, December G. A paragraph in the “Court Circular" announced the historic happenings to the public. It said that M> Asquith had had an audience Avith his Majesty that evening, and tendered his resignation as Prime Minister, which the King had been graciously pleased to accept. It is generally believed that the resignation entails a general election. Before making an appeal to the country, Mr Bonar Law will form a Government, for which he will seek the country’s approval. The temper at present of the House of Commons is against a new Government, especially as there is a wide belief that Mr Asquith has been unfairly driven from office.

There is reason to believe that Mr Asquith desires not to put any obstacles in the way of the new Government, and will advise his Liberal, Labour, and Nationalist supporters to assist Mr Lloyd George and Mr Bonar Law.

It is hoped that Mr Asquith will remain in public life, and 'give the country the benefit of his great experience and ability. He will probably receive a peerage.

IN DOWNING STREET

MINISTERHL VISITS. Australian and VJ. CabU Astoeimiion. LONDON, December 5 There were many consultations in Downing Street. Lord Crewe, Lord Curzon, Mr R. McKenna, Mr Lewis Harcourt, Lord Buckmaster, and Mr E. S. Montagu all visited Mr Asquith. It was noticeable that Mr Lloyd George was absent from the callers.

THE GREEK BUNGLE.

CAUSES EXASPERATION

United Sertbe

LONDON, December 5

The "Evening News," referring to Mr Lloyd George's resignation, says that that of Lord Derby (UnderSecretary for War) is expected quickly to follow. The country will support Mr Lloyd George because it is deeply exasperated by Greece's treacherous murder of British troops, for which the nation holds Mr Ascjuith arid Viscount Grey responsible.

NATIONALISTS' VIEWS.

COALITION CONDEMNED. Australian and NZ. Cable Association. LONDON, December 6. Mr J. Redmond (Leader of the Nationalist Party) interviewed as to the Irish Party’s views upon the crisis, said that they looked at it from a different standpoint to that of the other parlies. “We are excluded from the responsibilities for the direction of the affairs of the Empire while the right of Government is denied to Ireland. From the outset we condemned the coalition, as we felt that the results would he disastrous to Ireland and that it would prove a weak and ineffective instrument for carrying on the war.”

THE IRISH QUESTION

SETTLEMENT POSSIBLE

Australian ard X.Z. Cable Attoeiat'on

LONDON, December (i

The "Daily Chronicle" states that plans are maturing for a dramatic settlement of the Irish question in the event of Sir Edward Carson reentering the Cabinet. Sir Edward Carson has secured the consent of his Ulster colleagues to the establishment of a Home Rule Parliament for the whole of Ireland, the Protestants to be represented on the basis of proportional representation. Ulster will be included for a period of three years, after which an opportunity will be given for a revision of the conditions. The acceptance of the sheme is dependent upon the Nationalists agreeing to an extension of conscription to Ireland, thus bringing in an additional 1.if1.000 soldiers. Martial law would be abolished.

It is hoped that some Nationalists will join Mr Bonar Law's Government. Discussions have been going on between the Irish leaders, Mr Lloyd George, and Sir Edward Carson for some time.