BRITISH POLITICS.

Manawatu Herald, Volume XXXII, Issue 708, 13 January 1910, Page 3

BRITISH POLITICS.

PREMIER AND MINISTERS

SPEAK

THE BALFOUR LAND

POLICY

London, January 1 r

Premier Asquith, in an address to the electors of his electorate (East Fife), said the Lords had violated the constitution in order to save tariff reform from a mortal blow. The fortunes of both freetrade and popular government were now at stake. The possession of an unlimited veto by a partisan second chamber is an insuperable obstacle to democratic legislation. The address does not mention Home Rule, and only makes incidental reference to the navy. A dissolution Council was held at Bnckingtham Palace at 3.30 so as to avoid the possibility of the metropolitan returning officers securing the writs before 4 o’clock in order to fix the pollings to be held on Saturday. Most of the results will be known the same night. The new Parliament will meet on February 15. The Hon. D. Lloyd George, Chancellor of the Exchequer, addressing 4500 electors at Falmouth declared that the Opposition in effect said, “ Let us treat with our colonies.” He replied, “ Why with the colonies alone ? ” Tradesmen do not put a notice outside their shops, “ I trade only with relations.” If the colonies wanted assistance, the Chancellor continued, we are bound to help them, and they are bound to help us to the last drop of their blood. Canadians did not pay more because goods came from Great Britain. They would be fools if they did. It would be folly, unworthy of a business nation tor Great Britain to risk 251 millions worth of foreign trade on the offchance of securing 30 millions more of colonial trade. The Chancellor denied the accuracy of the reports of his hostile reception on Saturday, and declared that the torch-light procession was abandoned owing to the risk of his health through driving in the night air. The Hon. A. Birrell, Chief Secretary for Ireland, speaking at Bristol, described the Empire tariff reform scheme, with preferential treatment to the colonies, as sheer madness. He declared that it would be rank folly to abandon the present freetrade policy, which had made the country so prosperous. He favoured the disestablishment' and diseudowment of the English Church.

Sir Edward Grey, Foreign Secretary, speaking at Edinburgh, condemned the recent attempts made to create a panic about the possibility of war • with Germany. The increasing of naval expenditure had produced no coolness between the two Governments, but, doubtless, it had this effect upon the press and public opinion, resulting in certain anxiety regarding the future. Eventually some agreement of a perfectly voluntary nature might be arrived at. In time the German programme would be completed, and then there would be ascertained the proportion between the two countries which might put rivalry in naval expenditure at rest.

Mr Haise, a Liberal candidate, is hurrying from Afghanistan to fight the Bristol West seat. An active campaign on behalf of Mr Will. Crooks, Labour member for Woolwich, is proceeding at Woolwich pending his arrival from Australia.

Mr Balfour, speaking at Aberdeen, said that the number of landlords ought to be greatly increased. Small holdings could not prosper without the stimulus of ownership. Referring to tariff reform, Mr Balfour declared that the producer might be considered more than the consumer. The money invested abroad was not wasted, but Britain benefited far more by production due to British capital and the employment ol British labour.