Evening star., 1922-10-23
BONAR LAW GIVEN
RE|NS BY entire
UN|ON|ST BALLOT
Pleads for Party Unity FOL-
lowing Unanimous Elec-
ton FormaIity.
MINISTRY REPORTED
TO BE COMPLETED
Question of Election Date Causes
Perturbation in Many
Quarters.

LONDON, october 2S.-Andre" bonar
Law was unanimously elected leader
of the unionist party at the party
meeting held this afternoon.
The meeting. held at the Hotel
Cecil, was attended by 439 members
Of the party, including 152 peers.
On, leaving the meeting Mr.. Bonar
Law told newspaper men he would
accept the task of forming ministry.
His entrance into the meeting had
been signaled by an outburst OF
cheering. Shouts Of good old Bonar"
resounded through the auditorium and
were renewed as Sir George Younger
rose to open the meeting.
Mr.. Bonar Law in his speech ex-
pressed the hope that those coalition
unlonists who had voted against the
resolution passed by the Carlton Club
PARTY independence would Join their
nnionist brothers and go to the coun-
try as a united party.
Chamberlain Thanked.
The meeting voted thanks to
Austen Chamberlain. the retiring
leader, for his services. Mr. Bonar
Law lost no time, but arranged for
an audience with King George to
rake place at $50 O'Clock this after
noon.
Mr.. Bonar Law declared the Irish
constitution must be carried out.
Referring to Mr.. Lloyd George, he
said he was sure they would nave
"a pretty stiff tussle," but he hoped
hey would still be good friends after
ward
The premier-designate emerged
from the meeting smiling broadly.
He readily consented to pose for the
photographers. while a large crowd
cheered Enthusiastically.
Mr.: Bonar Law ,oss,! was proposed !rInoan .cr tor
retary for foreign affairs in the Lloyd
GEORGE cabinet. The nomination was
seconded by Stanley Baldwin, presi-
dent of the board of trade
Mr.. Bonar Laws election enables
him to accept the task of forming
cabinet, thereby giving England her
first conservative prime minister since
1906.
"Ninistry Completed.-
1t is understood Mr.. Bonar Laws
ministry is virtually complete.
The premier-designate did not de-
line his policy before the meeting,
according to reports obtained from
the gathering, but intimated that he
would do so in his speech at Glasgow
saturday next.
Others present at the meeting in
cluded Viscount Cave. Lord Derby,
Lord Carson. Viscount Peel, the Duke
of Devonshire, Earl Grey, Sir Samuel
Hoane, Admiral Sueter and William
OrmSby-Gore.
The presence of Lord Carson Great
cd considerable comment, adding
strength to the recent rumors that
the former Ulster unionist leader in
tended to re-enter politics. This
lord of appeal. because holders of
judiciary lordshipS cannot participate
in politics.
Huge Crowds Gather.
Long before the hour fof the meet
ing huge crowds gathered along the
Strand to watch the arrival of the
notables. The crowds were, as
rule, undemonstrative, but cheers
were given as Mr.. Bonar Law, ac-
companied by his secretary and his
.son-in-law. Gen. Sir Frederick Sykes.
drove into the hotel entrance.
Sir George Younger. the partys
heartily recommended the selection
Of the premier-designate as the
party's standard bearer.
There is much perturbation in sew
eral quarters over the report that the
elections are to be held on the 14th
or 18th of November instead of the
18th. which falls upon a Saturday
Dissatisfaction on this point Is par
ricularly strong in labor circles,
where it is maintained that if the
polling is held on any day but Sat-
urday many labor voters will be pre-
"Contemptfble Trick
J. A. Thomas. head of the railway
men, in a speech yesterday said fixing
of the election for midweek would be
:. "contemptible trick" and this view
is virtually universal among the
laborites. who see plot to reduce the
labor vote.
The conservatives. who favor a
midweek date. repudiate such inten-
tion. They contend 1t will be impossi-
BILE to arrange the election for Satur-
day, November IL, and that II 1t Is
postponed to the following Saturday
there will not be time to pass the Irish
legislation before the stipulated date.
Moreover, they maintain that as the
polls everywhere will be open until 8
o'clock in the evening there will be
plenty of time for the labor people to
record their votes.
Whatever day is chosen it has been
represented to the officials of the con-
servative party that it Is undesirable
10 antangonize the laborites. even on
such apparently trivial matter, and
consequently the 18th may be fixed
upon, especially as 1t Is everywhere
conceded that ratification Of the Irish
treaty no longer comes under the head
Of contentious legislation.
This week will be crowded with party
conventions and public meetings. There
was what is described as an emergency"
meeting of the Asquithian liberals
foften called free liberals), last evening,
at which Mr.. Asquith, viscount Grey,
the Marquis of Crewe, viscount Glad
stone, Lord Cowdray and other leaders
we're present.
Manifesto to BE Issued.
1, Is believed this meeting was called
10 frame a manifesto, which will be Is
sued shortly.
viscount Grey speaks at Bradford
tomorrow, when an important pronounce
ment 10 expected.
The executive committee Of the labor
TCSont;rr.l o~ Da1e 2 Colurnn ~