The Gisborne Times PUBLISHED EVERY MORNING. GISBORNE, FEBRUARY 14, 1902. ENGLISH POLITICS.

Gisborne Times, Volume VII, Issue 340, 14 February 1902, Page 2

The Gisborne Times PUBLISHED EVERY MORNING. GISBORNE, FEBRUARY 14, 1902. ENGLISH POLITICS.

The English papers to hand by the last mail show that the subject of the leadership of the Liberal party is still engrossing a large share of public attention, and especially in regard to the stand that i's likely to be taken in the future by Lord Rosebery. A London correspondent writes an interesting letter 011 the subject in which be states that Lord Rosebery is determined not to serve when once lie ruled or to be again played fast and loose with by, a disloyal and disunited party is quite certain. It is also true that he discerns bis next chance as looming alongside Lord Salisbury’s retirement, which cannot be very long delayed, and which is expected to follow the coronation. But the position is that Lord Salisbury’s successor must be in the ordinary course either the Duke of Devonshire or Lord Goschen from the House of Lords, or Mr Balfour or Mr Chamberlain from tiie Commons. Of these the Duke of Devonshire is deemed the most promising choice, but nobody believes he will long holt) the party together or that the Conservative section of the Ministerial side would willingly have as Premier the ex-Liberal Peer who was formerly Mr Gladstone’s understudy, aud who temporarily led the

Liberals when Mr Gladstone sulked in his tent. The Conservatives are the ‘ predominant party ’ in ' the Liberal Unionist alliance, and they would not willingly consent to support anybody but Mr Balfour as Prime Minister. Lord Goschen is regarded as ‘ played out ’ and Mr Chamberlain is too dangerous.” The writer then indulges in prophecy : “ What is expected is that either the Unionist leaders, should any or each be 1 sent for 1 by the King on Lord Salisbury’s retirement, will declare their inability to carry on, or else that one wilt undertake the foration of a Government and will 1 ride for a fall ’ taking the earliest opportunity to follow the example set by Lord Rosebery in 1894, and resign, recommending that Lord Rosebery be sent for. If rests with the King whether or not he will invite any suggestion from the outgoing Ministry. But in either case everything points to Lord Rosebery being sent i'or. The King would almost certainly do so whether advised in that direction or not, for he has keenly watched and fully realised the widespread confidence that is felt in the earl, and the popularity that he enjoys. It is known now that whether Mr Gladstone had recommended or not the late Queen would in any case have sent for Lnd Rosebery on receiving Mr Gladstone’s resignation.” It is evident from the foregoing that Lord Rosebery is in high favor in Court circles. " Tie question then comes as to what his position would be with the commoiers. We are told that he would have the hearty support of nearly all Hie must important members of tilt Liberal party, but he would not lave a majority in the present House of Commons, so he would take the esrliest opportunity of askmg for absolution, which could not constitu tiorally be refused to him, although it eould hardly be granted to the present Ministerial side in view of their receit appeal, and the circumstances in which it was made. Lord Roseberv lelieves that in that case the country, weary of tlie blunders and ineptitides committed by the men now in offite, would gladly return a majority Ic a Liberal Imperial partv,. who should be independent of the Irish Nationalist!, clear of Home Rule, and simply pledged to sweep up the existing mess, to adopt a policy of moderate progiessiveness, and .to steer

equally wide oi Little Englandism on the one hand and oi Jingoism on the oilier." The programme outlined is certainly a most interesting one, and gives plenty of scope for speculation and discussion. There is every probability that when the Coronation is over Lord Salisbury will retire ; his intention was to do that when the war was over, hut unfortunately that seems still a good way off.