THE TURNING POINT.

Star (Christchurch), Volume XLIV, Issue 234, 2 October 1931, Page 1

THE TURNING POINT.

Liberals will Remain in Cabinet. POLL AT EARLIEST DATE. United Press Assn.—By Electric Telegraph—Copyright. (Received October 2.2 p.m.) LONDON, October 1. It is understood that the five Liberal members of the Cabinet have decided to remain in the Government, despite Mr Lloyd George’s advice. The political correspondent of the “ Sun-Herald ” service says that the decision of the Liberal Cabinet members to remain in the Government is the turning point of the election manoeuvres. He adds: “There will now be an election at the earliest possible date, and the National Government, led by Mr MacDonald, will comprise all the Conservatives and a majority of the Liberals against the Labour Party.” FOSITION REVIEWED. Conversations Continuing Among Parties. (Received October 2. 12.30 p.m.) RUGBY, October 1. Political conversations to decide whether or not a general election will be held in the near future are still continuing, and it seems unjikely that a decision showing the final alignment of the parties can be announced yet awhile. Broadly stated, the position at the moment is that the Prime Minister is greatly impressed by the desirability of treating national issues on a national, as distinct from party basis and to see the Government as far as possible of all parties, with a mandate from the country to employ any remedy which the trend of economic events may require. The Conservatives, who believe that tariffs will be the remedy required, are generally strongly in favour of an early election. The Liberal organisation, with Mr Lloyd George, is against any immediate election and is only prepared to agree to an objective examination by the present Government of tariffs in a mitigated form as a possible emergency measure. A considerable section pf the Parliamentary Liberal Party is reported, however, to go farther than that and to be willing to support the Prime Minister in any course he may adopt. Sir Herbert Samuel to-day had a conversation on the Liberal attitude with the Prime Minister. Interest at the moment centres upon the extent of the naturfe of the Liberal support which will be available for the Prime Minister in the event of a decision to hold an election in the near future. This morning Lord Reading was received by the King. The Prime Minister to-morrow will speak at a Labour delegate meeting at Seaham Harbour, thus facing a body of his one-time supporters, who a few weeks ago expressed by 40 votes to 39 their disapproval of his action in leading the National Government. Following a meeting of the Privy Council at the Palace, Mr Baldwin remained behind and had an audience with the King. This evening Sir Austen Chamberlain had an audience. It is considered that a formal announcement regarding developments in the political field will be deferred until next week. The Prime Minister is due to leave London to-morrow for Seaham.