“GOVERNMENT A FAILURE”

Taranaki Daily News, 7 November 1930, Page 7

“GOVERNMENT A FAILURE”

SIR JOHN SIMON’S OPINION LETTER TO LLOYD GEORGE REVISION OF UNION LAWS WILL TAKE PLAIN COURSE British Official Wireless. Rec. 5.5 p.m. Rugby, Nov. 5. A letter was written by Sir John Simon (Liberal) to Mr. Lloyd George ten days ago and published to-day in which he states his disinclination to Support the Government which, he considers, has proved “a complete failure in practically all departments.” He also expressed decided opposition to the Government’s proposal to revise the present trade union law. < Sir John Simon voted against the Government last night. Sir John has authorised the publication of the letter. “Labour has been in office for 17 months and has proved a complete failure in practically all departments,” it says. “Your well-meant efforts to help it to do something effective have produced no result except to expose the Liberals to the reproach that they are keeping friendly contact with the socialists in an effort to save their own skins. If, therefore, the question arises regarding confidence in the Government I shall feel obliged to vote in any way to show that I at any rate have no confidence in it. Having thought tig, situation carefully over I hold that a plain course is the best and that tactics must take care of themselves.”

Everywhere it is agreed that Sir John Simon’s letter is an event of political importance, damaging the prestige of both Mr. Lloy’d George’s supporters and the Government. The effect will possibly be even greater in the country than in ,P ar ' liamentary circles.

The position at present is that 48 Liberal members of the House of Commons are anxious to keep Labour in office for reasons connected with party in the hope of wringing from Labour an electoral measure favouring the party’s prospects .in the constituencies. The remaining ten, including Sir John Simon and Sir R. Hutchison, are not disposed to afford the Labourites the least support but are prepared to act regardless of the consequences. Sir John Simon’s letter may be the cause of further defections, thus rendering the position of the Government in critical divisions most precarious, especially if the Leftists are restless, but politicians express the opinion that by avoiding ultracontentious measures and hiding behind the Imperial and Indian conferences the Government may hang on till the spring. Labour headquarters officials are appealing for a special election fund. They state that though an immediate election is not anticipated they must in nowise neglect precautions against a sudden crisis. The Liberals are also initiating a ’new fund.