HON. MR ASQUITH.

Hokitika Guardian, 28 July 1919, Page 2

HON. MR ASQUITH.

A FORCIBLE' ADDRESS

(By Electric Telegraph—Copyright.) AUSTRALIAN it N.Z. CAULE ASSOCIATION'!

(Received This Day at o a.m.) LONDON, July 26

Hon. Mr Asquith, speaking at Edgwarc, expressed serious misgivings regarding our policy in Russia. The future Government of Russia should be made by the Russians alone. He said the latest official pronouncement regarding Ireland was most disquieting, and discouraging. Ihe economic conditions' of th o world and of Britain had never been more menacing. We had faulty administration, there were excessive prices, inflated currency, extravagant profits in favoured trades, and transport facilities were deficient and dislocated. Thos 0 legacies' of the war demanded prompt, drastic handling. There was no common policy for co-ordination of the Powers under a central responsible Government. Public expenditure was rising. There had never been so many place men in the House of Commons, since the days of Queen Anne. No House of Commons had ever, within six months o* an election possessed in a lesser degree, the nation’s confidence and respect. We needed a real representative Parliament, and .woufd never make real advance towards industrial peace until we were able, with full Cabinet authority, to deal with the situation as a whole.

Referring to the reactionary spirit underlying the Triple Labour Alliance s ballot, Mr Asquith said it meant direct action. Ho warned his hearers that parliamentary institutions here and elsewhere were undergoing a severe trial. They would not emerge with success, unless they developed to meet the present needs. Meanwhile there must be no delay in restoring to the Commons a permanent independent authority over the whole machinery of Government. Never before was the Liberal Party more needed with its principles o c freedom, equality and diffusion of justice for all men.