BRITISH POLITICS.

Manawatu Herald, Volume XXX, Issue 3787, 11 February 1908, Page 2

BRITISH POLITICS.

London, February 8,

Mr Winston Churchill (Undersecretary for the Colonial Office) addressing the League of Young Liberals, said the greatest problem of Empire was at home, namely, the condition of the people. The problem of the unemployment was the Achilles’ heel of civilisation. Socialists and tariffites fastened thereon like greedy vultures, hoping to be carried into power. He was not prepared to say that all men should have everything until everybody had something. The trend of. the Liberal policy must be to increasingly build the minimum standard of Hie and labour. To provide that, about a certain level of decent comfort, competition must be free, but below that level no one would be permitted to labour.

Mr Dickinson’s Bill to abolish plural voting in London, provide continuity of register in the case of removal from one district to another, and extend the hours of polling, was talked out. The Times states that it is rumored that although asked at the last moment to materially reduce the Estimates, the Admiralty stood firm by what it regards as the minimum compatible with national safety. Viscount Ridley presided at the Tariff Reform League’s annual meeting, at which 1500 delegates were present.

Mr Joseph Chamberlain , sent a message that the progress of the movement had surpassed his most sanguine expectations. Mr Austen Chamberlain emphasised that there, was evidence in every direction of a growing desire for knowledge of fiscal reform, and a growing uneasiness about the condition of trade.

London, February 8,

While still not believing that any practical results will flow from so extravagant an interference with commerce as the Commonwealth’s new protection involves, the Spectator advises British tariff reformers, if they are sincere, to agree to the introduction of the Australian system. London, February 9. The vacancy at Worcester caused by the unseating of Mr Williamson eighteen months ago, has been filled by Mr E. A. Goulding, a Unionist and tariffite, by 4361, who defeated Mr' Elverston, a Liberal, who polled 3069 votes.