BRITISH POLITICS.

Gisborne Times, Volume X, Issue 1001, 21 September 1903, Page 2

BRITISH POLITICS.

NUMEROUS OPINIONS ON TIIE political crisis.

By Telegraph—Press AssociationCopyright. LONDON, Sept. 18. The Daily Telegraph states that there is an impression in official circles that Mr Austeu Chamberlain will succeed Mr Ritchie as Chancellor of tho Exchequer: Mr Brodrick will succeed Lord George Hamilton as Secretary of State for India ; and Mr Arnold Poster will assume Mr Brodrick’s position as Minister of War. Lord Milner is mentioned as a probable successor to Mr Chamberlain. The Daily Telegraph adds that tho correspondence which has been published redounds to the honor of the country. It does not contain a single note of self-seeking or personal ambition. The Daily News says that Mr Chamberlain has met his Waterloo. It adds : The appeal cannot bo delayed. In the bye-election for St. Andrew’s, owing to the sitting member, Mr H. F. Anstruther (Unionist), being appointed to the Suez Canal Commission, Captain Ellico (Liberal) was elected by a majority of off, defeating Major Amstruther Thompson (Conservative). Mr Chamberlain’s courage and patriotism aro generally recognised. It is rumored that ho expects one year’s propogauda before the general elections.

The St. James’ Gazette denounces the retention of Lord Lansdowne in the Ministry while the greatest colonial Minister leaves because his colleagues are too weak and they deny support to a man whose work alone has made the Cabinet’s history”. The Financial News declares the loss to tho Colonial Office by Mr Chamberlain’s retirement is incalculable, and irreparable). Mr Chamberlain was indispensable as no other Minister was, but he has made no sacrifice to a lost cause, and is destined to triumph. The triumph will also be that of tho Empire. The Canadian press deplores Mr Chamberlain’s retirement, and regrets the intense hostility to preferential ideals.

Tho Canadian Manufacturers’ Association cabled to Mr Chamberlain urging a vigorous prosecution of the campaign to adapt Britain’s policy to existing conditions.

The French press considers it unlikely- the Balfour Government will survive, and anticipates Mr Chamberlain’s return at tlio head or a Ministry.

OPINION OF. FEDERAL LEADERS SIRE. BARTON CONVINCED MR . .CHAMBERLAIN' WILL WIN. By Telegraph—Press AssociationCopyright.) Sydney, Sept. 19.

Sir Edmund Barton says that a 3 soon as he heard of the resignation ho cabled Mr Chamberlain: “ Your great policy commands the support of Australia. We know you will persevere.” Sir Edmumd Barton, after paying a high tributo to Mr Chamberlain, referring to the attitude of the Federal Government in regard to preferential trade in tho light of the resignation, said: What has occurred will not in any sense alter the policy of onus of tho Government. lam convinced the policy enunciated by Mr Chamberlain will win. I think with Mr Chamberlain that until the responsibilities of the Empire are recognised as well by the United Kingdom as by the colonies a union of the Empire will not take place, but if Mr Chamberlain’s policy in the whole is adopted instead of only in part I think there will be a realisation of it in no distant future. I am quite sure those who know him know his high resolves aud tenacity of purpose, and will have the greatest confidence that he has taken the right step for the consummation of the cohesion we wish for. Mr Reid received the news whilst addressing a meeting. In the course of his speech he said : “la an unhappy moment Mr Chamberlain missed sublime confidence in the virility and permanence of the British race. It w-s a melancholy declension which was calculated to work enormous misery and distress to the Empire. While he had a feeling of ithe greatest respect for Mr Chamberlain, it was witti a feeling ofpersonal thankfulness that he learnt that the struggle in England and in the British Cabinet, upon which the destinies of the Empire trembled, had been ended by MrChamberlain’s resignation.”

A POLITICAL! CYCLONE. FEELING IN SOUTH AFRICA AND ELSEWHERE. By. .Telegraph—Press AssociationCopyright. Received 9.44 p.m., Sept. 20. LONDON, Sept. 19.

Many messages have been received assuring Mr Chamberlain that sympathy is widespread. The report of his resignation caused a feeling of consternation at Pretoria, and of dismay at Natal. Comparative calm prevails at the Cape over the resignation. There is great excitement and activity in all political and commercial circles in Britain.

Sir John Oockburn, formerly of South Australia, speaking at Barry, characterised the resignation as a political cyclone. He was sure that the news of Mr Chamberlain’s retirement would be received by tho Sons of the Empire with great sorrow. The Standard urges Mr Balfour to include in the Ministry such statesmen as Lords Milner and Cromer. The country would thereby be a gainer, whereas the utilisation of any material for the purpose of patching would imply a stop-gap Ministry. Mr Asquith declares that the situation in all its essentials has not changed. The duty of the Liberals to defend free trade was plain and as urgent as before. Hanes are watching the crisis closely owing to- large export orders of dairy produce for Eagiaud having been secured.

Received 9,22 a.m., Sept. 20. Melbourne, Sept. 20. The Governor-General has telegraphed to Mr Chamberlain : “ Much regret for myself that you are resigning office, but cannot regret for the Empire, as iu your opinion your resignation will help towards the closer union for which you have nobly worked.”

OPINION IN LONDON. By Telegraph—Press Association—Copyright Received 12.53 a.m., Sept. 21.

London, Sept. 19. The Times says that Mr Chamberlain’s many supporters in city business circles are gratified at his freedom to conduct the campaign untrammelled. There was little regret over Mr Ritchie’s resignation in the city, considering that he is responsible for the repeal of the Corn Tax.

A FREETRADER’S OPINION. By Telegraph—Press Association—Copyright Received 12 53 p.m., Sept. 21. Sydney, Sept. 20. Mr Reid, interviewed, said be regarded

Mr Chamberlain’s resignation as a humiliating overthrow, coming about by tho action of his colleagues, not by the triumph of his political opponents. It was ontirely from profound conviction of tho danger of Mr Chamberlain’s policy that ho rejoiced at his resignation. He protested against Sir E. Barton sending a telegram in tho name of Australia on a subject which has been oxciting such keen political differences throughout tho Com* monwealth, and put Australia in an absolutely false light, as if Australia wore behind Mr Chamberlain, when probably the great majority had no sort of sympathy with the policy of taxing British people. “ The true significance of Mr Chamberlain s scheme,” said Mr Reid, ” has not been perceived. It was really a movement towards making theso self-governing States partners in tho enormous burdens of Imperial expenditure ; that is the true end of tho whole policy, and from an Imperial point of view, may be a profoundly wise and good policy, but I feol suro Australians are almost unanimously against such a proposal,”