BRITISH CRISIS.

Dominion, Volume 4, Issue 1202, 10 August 1911, Page 5

BRITISH CRISIS.

I UNIONIST CRITICISM. KING. GEORGE AND THE HOME RULE ISSUE. "ULSTER WILL FIGHT." Br Tclecraph— Press Association-Copyricht London, August 8. In- the course of tho debate in the Houso of Commons on Mr. Balfour's motion of censure, Ministerialists strongly resented'the taunts, gibes, and fierce invective of Mr. F. 11. Smith, Conservative member for Walton, Liverpool, lie repeatedly interrupted.

Mr. Smith accused Mr. Asquith of giving advice to the King because Mr. liedmond ordered him to do so. He added that the advice was the price of tho 11)09 Budget. Mr. Asquith liad sold the King's prerogative for the Finance Bill.

Sir li. B. Finlay interjected; "Absolutely wrong."

Mr. Asquith, continued Mr. Smith,, had got th'o Crown's promise without seeing what the Leader of tho Opposition had to say.

Mr. Winston Churchill, Homo Secretary, replied. He chaffod Mr. Smith and other "diehards" who opposed the Parliament Bill. Tho supporters of tho Bill, ho declared, asked tor no facilities which tho Opposition did not enjoy when in power, but tho Government would no longer tolerate a system whereby, the larger part of tho'electorato were relegated to a stato of political inferiority. Tho Government were unwilling to use tho reserve power of tho Crown until the need becamo imperative; hence, the delay in the creation of Peers.

Tho Minister concluded by turning to the Opposition and crying: "Censure us if yon like,' because we aro going to pass Homo Rule in this Parliament. Wo shall do it!" This statement was greeted with excited cries of "Ulster will fight!" Sir Edward Carson rose to speak, but Mr. Asquith rose and moved the closure. Tho O'Brienites did not support it, though they voted for tho Government on the motion of censure. When the figures of the division wore announced they were greeted enthusiastically, the supporters of tho Government rising and cheering. "HIGH TREASON." LORD HUGH CECIL ATTACKS MR. ASQUITH. London, August 8. The House of Commons to-day resumed cpnsideration of the Lords' amendments. Lord Hugh Cecil, Conservative member for Oxford University, and a son of tho late 'Marquis, oi Salisbury, moved that tho amendments be considered three months hence, lie declared that ho would gladly see Mr. Asquith dealt with by the criminal law. Ho was guilty of high treason. An uproar followed this statement. Sir Edward Carson (Dublin University) asked whether the King had been advised as to the effect of guarantees on Home Rule. •

Mr. Winston Churchill replied that tho King was acquainted with the matters in dispute, among which Homo Rulo was one of tho' moro important. . The announcement created a sensation. ..,..- A LAST RESORT.

EXCLUSION OF NEW PEERS. London, August 8. Some of.the newspapers are discussing the possibility of the Lords again using a Committeo of Privilege to exclude Peers created for alleged corrupt purposes. RUMOURED AMENDMENT. EIGHTY PEERS TO SUPPORT THE _. BILL. London, August 8. Mr. Asquith will to-day ask the Houso of Commons to consider the Lords' amendments seriatim. It is rumoured that tho Government has proposed to appoint a committee of four members, two to bo nominated by tho leaders on each side, to assist the Speaker in adjudicating on Money Bills. Lord Knollys, Private Secretary to King George, called upon Mr. Asquith beforo the Tatter went to the House last night. Eighty Peers have intimated that they will support Lord Morley, Leader for tho Government, in the Upper House, ANOTHER CENSURE DEBATE. LORD CURZON'S MOTION. London, August 8. In the House of Lords to-day Lord Curzon moved tho censure motion of which he had given notice, which is similar in terras to that moved by Mr. Balfour in tho Commons. The debate is proceeding. ' MR. ASQUITH UNWELL. London, August 8. Mr. Asquith is suffering from laryngitis, and was absent from the House of Commons to-day.