LLOYD GEORGE DEMANDS OVERHAUL OF ELECTORAL SYSTEM, WHICH IS “STULTIFICATION OF DEMOCRACY."

Star (Christchurch), Issue 18785, 14 June 1929, Page 9

LLOYD GEORGE DEMANDS OVERHAUL OF ELECTORAL SYSTEM, WHICH IS “STULTIFICATION OF DEMOCRACY."

(United Press Association.—By Electric Telegraph.—Copyright.) (Received June 14, 11.30 a.m.)

LONDON, June 13. £( npHE very hour that the Ministry decides to become a X Socialist Ministry its career ends,” declared Mr Lloyd George, addressing a Liberal Party meeting at the National Liberal Club. “ The nation has intimated by a majority of five and a half million votes that it has no use for Socialism. We have to make it clear from the start that, using Mr MacDonald’s elegant phrase, ‘We shall stand no monkeying.’ The Government will receive the support of the Liberal Party in carrying out tlje disarmament obligations of the peace treaties, in resuming relations with Russia and the withdrawing of troops from the Rhineland.” The Liberals’ attitude towards the Government would be influenced by the action it was prepared to take to reform the electoral system, which was at present a pure stultification of democracy. If Liberalism had secured representation in proportion to its votes it would have 140 members. The Liberals insisted on speedy redress of this glaring wrong. Mr Llovd George was unanimously elected leader of the Parliamentary Liberal Party, and Sir Robert Hutchinson, Chief Whip.—Australian Press Association-United Service.