LORD ROBBERY'S POLICY.

Greymouth Evening Star, Volume XXXI, 18 December 1901, Page 3

LORD ROBBERY'S POLICY.

A Attuhft.

Patriotism D«£*ra if Artj.

Yigoyowi PreMcatio* of the Wu. Then CiiallUtio».

[?BE PttßiS AMOCIATIO* —OOHMOHT.] Received this day at Q 51 a. m. London, Dss 17, Lord Rosebery addreeasd a gathering of five thousand people at Cbestarfleld, including promiuaat ex-Oabinst Ministers. He disclaimed any idea of solving the question of party unity, but Intended to speak kia mind and effer dispassionate advise to the Liberal party. Braa from just alliance they ought to iatariks en a clean slate the! th‘lr pe&ey for lOflfil was not tha pofley af IftSS, and esperially that tbs party did not dissociate iteeif with the sentiment of the Empire, which sentiment was not aggresrlra. Any statesman however eminent, dissaolatUg himself ftom that sentiment must not bs surpiiesd if the nation dissociates itself from him. He emphasised the views bo expressed in July that tho watchword of the nation ought to be “Efficiency."

He severely criticised the Government and repelled the theory that there was no alternative for the Government but dissolution, which ought to be decreed after peace had been secured. He denounced the “prating” about the British war methods and barbarism. 1 I vindicated the army, condemned the Boer atrociiies, upheld the proclamatiod of martial law, and stern and efficient prosecution of the war, to bo followed by a passive policy for peace. He would not listen to overtures emanating from Kruger and the exiled Boer Government. The Boers were aware that their independence had gone and were too shrewd to base other hopes on the crazy foundation of the utterances of a handful of people in Great Britain. He was dead against the recall of Lord Milner, He favored amnesty compatible with safety and also a commission of rough and ready ad minis* trator of the Indian type to kelp

Milner. He would lavishly restock th . farms, grant immediate civil rights to the Boers taking a drastic oath of allegience but k* would *ot immediately grant th* new state* n representative government, He deelsted hi* poliey wa* not on party line# but would be at »k# disposal of the country and ke appealed to th* tribunal of public opinio* and common sense.

Lord Bosebery was eoatiauously ohaorel during his speeok. Mr Asguhh and Sir Hdward Gray wore present, and unreservedly endorsed Lord Rosebery's views. The general opinion is that Lord Ensebery’s brilliant spoooh strengthens the war policy, and its strong Imperial ring is much commented upon. The Times says that it rises with rare completeness to the level of a great occasion.

The Standard expresses disappointment at Lord Bosebery remaining stadonary, and not supporting th* Cabinet in a wholo-hearted manner.

Ths Daily Chronicle is hopeful that the spoooh will do good all round. The Westminister Gasstia says that everybody finds something, and nobody everything what they want ia the speech. The extreme Badloal press is bitter and cynical.