BRITISH POLITICS.

Manawatu Herald, Volume XXXII, Issue 813, 17 February 1910, Page 3

BRITISH POLITICS.

The British elections having concluded, the position of parties In the House of Commons is as follows : Liberals ... 27 6 Unionists 273 Nationalists ••• ••• 82 Labour ... 39 This gives a total Liberal-Labouf-Nationalist majority of 124, but leaves the key ol the position in the hands of the Nationalists. Leaving them out of the question, the Government, with the Labour vote, has a majority of 42. MR. ASQUITH’S POLICY. London, Feb. 14. Mr Helaire Belloc, a Commoner, publishes a vigorous letter in the Times, denouncing the policy of passing the Budget before the veto as a betrayal of the Liberal supporters. The Morning Leader fiercely' demands the veto first. The Westminster Gazette protests against Ministers being bullied, and declares the Government cannot continue in office and disclaim responsibility for the financial position. The Daily News says that Mr Redmond’s attitude has undoubtedly forced what may be described as a wholesome crisis. The position is some degrees graver than is imagined by some. There is reason to believe that Mr Asquith will be handed as a matter of course any guarantee that may be requested. A single phrase of the King’s speech or a hint from Mr Asquith on the Address will suffice to make the guarantees known.

The Chronicle says it is now probable that an attack on the veto will be the first subject taken in the House of Commons after the Address, even though this may involve the risk of losing the Budget. The Chronicle adds that there is no certainty that the giving of the Budget priority would save it from the wolves. -

The Times Dublin correspondent states that it is generally believed that Mr Asquith will offer formal pledges which, at any rate on paper, will be sufficiently substantial to save Mr Redmond’s face. The Nationalists shrink from the prospect of another election, inasmuch as there is a lack of funds. It is understood that the bulk of Mr T. P. O’Connor’s ,£IO,OOO from America was spent in fighting the recent election. Mr Redmond will possibly be willing to vote for the Budget if the threatened burdens of over-taxation in Ireland are eliminated as advocated by Unionists equally with some of the Nationalist newspapers.

Mr J. M. F. Fuller, Liberal Whip, speaking at Trowbridge, said that during the last three days difficulties had arisen making it quite possible that the House of Commons would reject the Budget. The two great parties of the State were never so equally balanced. He did not know what attitude the Nationalists would assume, and the Liberals should retain their election organisation iu view of the possibility of another election before many months. London, February 15,

Mr John Redmond, Leader of the Irish Nationalists, has arrived in Loudon, and is negotiating with the Liberal leaders.

The Times says; —“ The fate of the Budget is unquestionably in Mr Redmoud’s bauds. Whether he dare put it to the touch is another matter.” Cabinet sat for three hours yesterday, and adjourned its deliberation till to-day. Parliament will formally meet to-day to elect the Speaker, who will swear in members during the week.

The Speech from the Throne will be submitted for King Edward’s approval at a meeting of the Privy Council on February 19. The Standard (Umonist) says : “It may be taken for granted that Mr Asquith did not obtain, even if he sought, guarantees from the King, without which he in December said he would not hold office, and he may easily be persuaded of the general impossibility of conducting a successful administration under such circumstances.

The Morning Post (Unionist) states: —“It was reported among the Radicals yesterday that Mr Asquith had failed to obtain any of the promises he desired from the King. The Liberals entertain a very real sense of the peril the Government has to face from its own allies.

The following Cabinet changes are officially announced : Home Secretary, Winstou Churchill. President of the Board of Trade, Sidney Buxton. Chancellor of the Duchy of Lancaster, H. P. Peace (with a seat in the Cabinet). Postmaster-General, H. Samuel. Parliamentary Secretary to the Treasury (which is the same as “Patronage Secretary”), the Master of Elibauk.

The Times stated that the promotion of the Hon, Winston Churchill to the Home Secretaryship has been earned, and that of the Hon. H. L. Samuel is not surprising, as the latter rendered his party no little service. The appointment of the Hon. J. A. Pease will be popular. Liberals will also note with satisfaction that the Master of EHbank is chief Whip. The Times adds that Cabinet has decided for the Budget to be the first, but is in nowise certain that the Budget will pass. Mr J. Keir Hardie, Labour member for Merthyr Tydvil, speaking at Mountain Ash. Glamorganshire, said that the present Parliament would last at least two sessions.

Mr Jas. Win. Lowther has been re-elected Speaker of the House of Commons.