Conference at Vienna a few days ago Mrs. Philip Snowden stated that a General Election in England was imminent, but she also added that Labour had not a sufficient hold on the country to enable it to return to Parliament with a majority, The only alternative, therefore, was the return of Mr. Lloyd George again. This is not the first occasion that Labour has announced the imminence of a dissolution of Parliament, but in spite of all rumours on the subject the very best that opponents of the Government can hope for seems to be an appeal to the country at the close of the present year. If so, the position may be much more interesting than Mrs. Snowden's remarks would lead Vienna to believe. In spite of the skirmishing of the Communistic element, Labour is likely to be fairly solid, and so are the Wee Free Liberals. - But the Coalition may happen to split asunder. Recently, it may be remembered, a suggestion was put forward that the Conservatives should withdraw their support from the Coalition, and it may be an important circumstance that only a few days ago they were found in the opposition lobby, defeating the Government. Many months ago a National Democratic Party consisting of Lloyd George Liberals and Unionists was announced, but thereafter no more was heard of it, so that no fusion is yet effected, only a continuance of the war-time working agreement. This agreement is apt ¢o break on an election, but at the same time there are many Unionists, as mentioned by Sir Ernest Wild in recent article, who honestly believe that only a continuance of the Coalition can save the country. Even so. there are big breakers ahead.
Text read from the printed page and cleaned; old type leaves the occasional error.