KING AND THE CRISIS.

Dominion, Volume 3, Issue 637, 14 October 1909, Page 7

KING AND THE CRISIS.

AUDIENCES. EFFORT TO AVOID A CONFLICT. . PRESS IN DOUBT. (By Telegraph—Press Association—Copyright.) (Rcc. October 14, 0.33 a.m.) London, October 11. King Edward invited Mr. Balfour and Lord Lansdowno, Unionist Leaders in the Commons and Lords respectively, to Buckingham Palace, whero they had an audience lasting threequarters of nn hour. Immediately after they had left, the Prime Minister, Mr. Asquith, had a short consultation with the King. The newspapers' are mystified.. They state that tho King, in informing himself regarding tho political situation, doubtless acted on Mr. Asquith's ■ advice. It is presumed that King Edward is seeking a means to avoid a confiict between the Lords and the Commons. King Edward has gone to Newmarket, whence he will proceed to the Royal residence cf Sandringham.

PROPOSED REFERENDUM. ! WHAT COURSE IF. PEERS REJECT? London, October 12. "The Times" states that the Government has been considering for somo time whether in the event of the House of Lords rejecting the Finance Bill they should immediately appeal to the people by referendum to discover whether a majority of the electorate is for or against the' Budget. •■ ■ ' j Legislative sanction would be required, hnt the Lords would bo hardly able to withhold their assent under the circumstances. Parliament would ( then bo adjourned instead of prorogued, .while the' referendum was being taken, thus obviating financial embarrassments.

"PRELIMINARY STEPS." (Rec. October li, 0.35 a.m.) , London, October 13. . The press gomrally express doubt as to the referendum proposals, though several newspapers 6tate that the Government -has taken preliminary steps to test: the possibility of a referendum on the Budget.

SIR E. CARSON ON MR. LLOY&-GEORGE. London, October 12. Sir 'Edward Carson, K.C., Unionist membor for Diblin University, and Solicitor-General for. Ireland from 1900 to 1900, speaking at Liverpool, described Mr. Lloyd-George as a demagogue and farceur, whose stock-in-trade were violence and vituperation that grow in proportion to the responsibilities cast upon him. ■ "The saddest feature of a grave situation," added Sir Edward, "is the l Premier receding in, tho background, whilo his noisy lieutenants stir the basest passions of . men."