LABOR'S CHANCE.

Gisborne Times, Volume XXX, Issue 3582, 23 July 1912, Page 6

LABOR'S CHANCE.

STATEMENT BY MR. KEIIR HARDIE.

WILL THERE BE A CABINET SPLIT? [UNITED PRESS ASSOCIATION—COPYRIGHT] (Received July 22. 10.40 p.m.) LONDON, July 22. Mr Keir Hardie, speaking at Newtown Abbott,- said he believed that there was a turmoil in the Cabinet relative to the disposal of the surplus, which was not unlikely' to give the Labor party a- new leader and a new following. Asked whether he meant Mr Lloyd George, he replied: “Better allow the leader to remain a dark horse!” [Mr Iveir Hardie’s statement read in conjunction with a recent article by Mr H. W. Massingham, whose writings reflect the advanced section of the Cabinet, is significant. In an article in the “Daily Mail” Mr Massing.liam asks: “Are we to command the sea or lose Mr Lloyd George ? (Chancellor of the Exchequer). ,If Mr Asquith tries to enchain the soul and mind t N>f the party to Mr Churchill's naval policy, in which Mr Churchill desires the use of the hulk of the surplus for naval use, he will lose the Chancellor, and with him nine-tenths of the Liberal fighters.” Commenting on this the “Standard” says that Mr Lloyd-George may he cornered in the Cabinet, but he can win the elections. If the issue of the interesting domestic quarrel is uncertain the Unionists must look to their weapons and see that they are in readiness for that- surprise election whereto the Premier may resort as the only escape from a most uncomfortable situation.]