BRITISH POLITICS.

Gisborne Times, Volume XIX, Issue 1634, 23 December 1905, Page 2

BRITISH POLITICS.

By. telegraph,, Press Ase’n,. Copyright

Loudon, Deo 21

Mr R. Chorry baa been appointed At-torney-General for Ireland, and Mr Redmond Barry, Solicitor-General. Mr Walton, Attorney-General, speaking sit Loods, declared that the Homo Ilulo 1 bogey wai more of an elcctionoc-ring scarecrow than anything else. Tbo Liberals would forward the Irish scheme inaugur- I ated under the Tory regime. Onci hundred and twenty millions have been spent in Iceland without security for forwarding tho scheme, which would occupy Liberal I statesmanship for years, I A meeting of unemployed at Tower Hill expressed dissatisfaction at Government inaction. Mr J. E\ Williams demanded that tbo Government grant three millions as the duolous for the establishment of free colonies at Home. Sic H. 0. Bannerman pronrsod a deputation of Labor membera of the House of Commons to introduce without unnecessary de'ay a Trades Disputs. Bill, on general lines desired by the Parliamentary Committee of Trades Union Congress. Tbo Earl of Tweedmoutb, speaking at St. Pancras, advocated a Btrong, efficient, and well-equipped navy. The la’e Government, he said, had lived slimly, died slimly, and hoped to rise again slimly. He hoped the Government would secure a majority over them and the Nationalists combined.

THE PREMIER’S FINE SPEECH.

AN APPEAL FOR FREETRADE,

YELLOW PERIL CHECKED,

By telegraph, Press Aas’n, ‘Copyright

P.eceived 10 42 p.m., Dec. 22,

London, Deo. 22

There were nine thousand people at Albert Hall, and there was tremendous enthusiasm. Mr W. H. DickersoD, ohairman of the Liberal Federation, presided. Sir H. Campbell Bannerman criticised Mr Balfour’s method of ex t, charging Mr Balfour with ai attempt to evade the mun issue of tbe general election and trying to hide it behind Borne other issuos. Sir H. C. Bannerman proceeded to animadvert on the Indian military administration controversy, describing it as rash to tackle, and adding : Our aim is to restore that spent caution and vigorous commonsense which is the boast of British rule. We will be a party to no step involving any invasion of the sacred principle recognised by each party throughout the King's realms, subordination of the milituy to tho Civil authority. He touobed briefly on the Liberals’ affectioa for the colonies, and their desire to bring thorn closer. Everything ia colonial matters was Brnooth, save one reified spot, South Africa. The announcement of stopping the importation of coolies was recsived with prolonged checriDg. He rccapitulattd his Portsmouth speech and emphatic adhesion tc the agreement of entente with France, and good feelings towards Russia and Germany. He advocated co-operation of all nationalities and the promotion of civilisation, contending that freetrade wss a notable ally of this policy, a guarantee of peace and preventive of oommercial and tariS war. He recommended, as arbitration gained ground, that there should be an adjustment of armaments leading to a hippier eia. What nobler aspiration Jcould they have than Great Britain at the head of the league'of pe'ee? Militarism, extravagance, and proteotioD, wore three wieds growing in the same field. They must all be uprooted. The country wanted relief from excessive taxation. To find money to meet domestic needs and reforms fteih sjurccs might be tapped; somsthing was derivable from land, and something from licenses.

GOVERNMENT’S IRISH AND LAND POLICY.

By telegraph', Press Ass’n, Copyrigh Recejved 12 47 a.m., Doc. 23.

London, December 22,

Sr H. 0, Bannerman, continuing, said tbe principle of self-government wai popular control. It was the foundation of the Liberal policy that the peoplo of a district should Control and manage schools. It was the foundation of tbe Liberal licensing policy. Wbat other was tbe foundation of their Irish policy, he asked ? That domestic afi’airs whioh concerned the Irish only should, as opportunity offers, be plioed in Irish hands. Up ti last spring they had reason to believe that the late Government undoretiod the wisdom of tho polioy it gave the country. Government had pledged 112 million pounds credit to tenants, and authorised the Vioeroy to deolare that Ireland thenoe forward would be governod according to Irish ideas. They receded from that position, but could not escape tho logio of their own Acts. Liberals desired tho colonies and Groat Britain to give the farmer greater freedom, and security of tenure, to settle laborers on the soil, make land loss the pleasure ground of tbe rich man and moro the storehouse of the nation. Ho recommended a Royal Commission on canals and waterways, and urged strengthening tho bands of the Lnndon municipalities by a rate on ground values, drastic modification of tbo poor law, and experiments for tho relief of tbo unemployed. .