BRITISH LIBERAL PARTY

Taranaki Daily News, 15 December 1926, Page 7

BRITISH LIBERAL PARTY

CONCORD SEEMS NG NEARER ASQUITWAMG’ ATTITUDE LLOYD GEORGE MISTRUSTED By Telegraph— Press Assn. — Copyright. Received Dee. 14, 8.15 p.m. London, Dec. 13. Viscount Grey, speaking at a dinner in honour of Mr. Vivian Phillips, defined the attitude of the Aeqnithians toward Liberal unity. He disclaimed any intention of raising the question of leadership, or of establishing an organised schism within the party, but he emphasised that it would be impossible even after Lord Oxford's retirement, to restore unity, because differences were repeatedly arising. They began with the action of the Coalition Government and, although removed in 1923 during the Free Trade crisis, they broke out again in 1924, regarding the use of Mr. Lloyd George’s fund for the general election, when Mr. Lloyd George disclosed the extraordinary and unexpected desire not to put up the full number of Liberal candidates. Serious disunion had resulted in 1926, owing to Mr. Lloyd George financing the Liberal land campaign, in which Asquithians were not concerned. Neither Lord Oxford nor hie friends were responsible for any of these disputes. “Then came Mr. Lloyd Georges sudden refusal to attend the Shadow Cabinet during the general strike, which we regarded as an intimation that he was definitely separating, and producing the impression that Mr. Lloyd George expected the strike to bring about a great political upheaval, in which Lord Oxford and others of us, would not be desirable political associates. ■ “It is now suggested that we shall again come together upon a feeling of mutual trust. That is absolutely impossible, Our confidence has been destroyed. We feel it impossible to keep step' with Mr. Lloyd George because, in a very short time, he would change stop. There are already instances- of this. “I do not like the suggestion that the Liberals should aim, at the next elections, to obtain the balance of power

in Parliament and insist upon terms with the Labour Party. Such a suggestion will cause resentment among the Labour Party and the greatest depression among the Liberals. We also disagree with Mr. Lloyd George's speech regarding China (in which he stated that Bolshevik influences were not behind the recent outbreaks, in that country). “It is unprecedented in British politics for one man to control his own fund for political purposes. The disposal of that fund to-day, agitates the Liberals; to-morrow it might agitate the Conservatives or Labour Party, Whatever the result of the negotiations regarding the fund, we shall stand outside them, but they will not affect our action in advocating the principles of Liberalism, or remaining Liberals. “Let us go ahead in our own way. f trust that large public issues and general agreement upon Liberal principles will bring essential unity.”