CABINET AND CROWN.

Dominion, Volume 3, Issue 810, 6 May 1910, Page 5

CABINET AND CROWN.

MR. KEIR HARDIE. DID HE FALSELY SWEAR THE OATH? TALK OF EXPULSION. By Telegraph—Press Association-OopyriEht , ' (Rec. May 5, 10.25 p.m.) London, Hay 5. Several Unionist members of the House of Commons, also other persona, accuse Mr. Keir Hardie, Labour M.P. for llerthyr-Tidfil, of falsely swearing the oath of allegiance to King Edward in order to secure a scat in the House of Commons. The question is asked whether it is possible to expel Mr. Keir Hardio from the House. [Some time ago Mr. Keir Hardie referred to the . possibility of ■ the■ crown following the coronet into (he meltingpot. Recently, speaking in Wales, he declared that loyalty to the Throne was a great superstition, and was very, advantageous to the ruling powers, but it mattered nothing to the working classes whether the official head of the State was Kins or President. In conjunction, the trade unions and the Labour party in Britain would one day become what the Labour party in Australia had beeonie— the governing power'of the nation.] SIR E. GREY EXPLAINS. NO UNCONSTITUTIONAL BURDEN ON THE KING. IRISH "BARGAIN" DENIED. (Kec. May 6, 11.8 p.m.) London, May 6. In a speeoh at tho NorthuinberUnd town of Bolford, Sir Edward Grey (Scc'retary for . Foreign Affairs and a supporter of a roformed. Second Chamber) Said '.it was not true tba{ tho Government had bargained in order to securo Irish votes for the-Budget.

Mr. Asquith's declaration regarding the Sovereign was perfectly consistent. The Government had said nothing committing them to ghe any particular advice to tho King, and. had only said they would bring the matter to an issue one way Or another. .

Ministers must not ask the Sovereign to do something i they must give him advice, for which they were responsible. If tho Sovereign did not accept their advice, the Government could tender other ad-rice, or resign.

Under no circumstances would they attempt to put tho Sovereign in a position of responsibility, which was not constitutional, and which ho should not occupy.

Sir Edward Grey added that the speech of Mr. Keir Hardie (a Labour leader) seemed to imply a menace against the King, but that speech had nothing to do with the' actions or intentions. of the Liberal Government. [Speaking in tho House of Commons last month, on the subject of the Houso of Lords' veto proposals, Mr. Asquith said: "If the House of Lords does not accept the Government's policy, our duty is to advise the Crown as to the steps needed to give that policy statutory, .effect during this Parliament; and in -(he event of our inability to secure such effect, our duty is to resign or dissolve. In no ca.«e would we recommend dissolution oxeept under conditions Gecuring that the judgment of the people as expressed at the election shall be carried into law during the next Parliament."]