BRITISH POLITICS.

Manawatu Herald, Volume XXXII, Issue 814, 19 February 1910, Page 3

BRITISH POLITICS.

London, Feb. 17

There are indications that Mr Asquith has arranged an accommodation satisfying Mr Redmond. The latter is anxious not to overthrow the Government.

The Times’ Parliamentary correspondent states that there is no reason to suppose that any concession will be made in the whisky duties.

After the Cabinet meeting, Messrs John Redmond, John Dillon and T. P. O’Connor spent an hour with Mr Eloyd-George in Downing street, where they had luncheon.

The Times says :—“ Cabinet has decided that the Budget is the first necessary business. Moreover, the Government have not yet had time to harmonise their views on the veto question.” The Government, adds The Times, is nowise certain that the Budget will pass. The Women’s Freedom Teague has sent Mr Asquith a petition demanding a Government declaration that women’s suffrage legislation will be undertaken during the 1910 session.

Mr Joseph Chamberlain made a dramatic appearance in the House of Commons, assisted by his sou, Mr Austen Chamberlain, and Viscount Morpeth. He took his seat on the front bench and the oath was administered. He was loudly cheered.

The speaker expressed the House’s gratification. Mr Chamberlain acknowledged the Speaker’s welcome and withdrew.

His departure for Cannes was delayed to enable him to appear in the House of Commons.

Several newspapers state that Mr Redmond will abstain from voting on the Budget. The Times says : 1 ‘ While there is not exactly a hitch, the negotiations with the Nationalists have during the past twenty-four hours, assumed a shape somewhat less satisfactory to the Government. Advanced Radicals are growing dissatisfied with the Government's decision that in the present situation no guarantees can be sought regarding the Lords.” It is explained in Ministerial circles that Mr Asquith’s reference in his speech at the Albert Hall to “ safeguards before retaining office if re-elected,” pointed to the inclusion of certain provisions in the Veto Bill.

An inspired statement declares that the session from the beginning has been definitely consecrated to the task of dealing with the Lords. The Chronicle says that in the debate on the Address-iu-Reply, Mr Asquith will outline the policy he proposes to adopt, and then take the Budget. Interesting comments upou the political position are made in a letter to a correspondent by Lord Avebury, better known as Sir John Lubbock. “ I certainly do not think,” he remarks, “ that it can be said that the electors have condemned the rejection of the Budget by the House of Lords. No doubt the result of the elections must exercise a restraining influence upou the Liberal leaders. It seems to me that Mr Asquith has promised to give Home Rule for Ireland but not in the immediate future.”

The creation of a large number of Liberal peers is demanded by the Manchester Guardian.

The paoer also remarks that the expiry of theßraddou compromise will allow of the referendum being seen at work in Australia, and adds; “A similar check upon a serious disturbance of the constitutional balance might work well in Great Britain in conjunction with limiting the duration of Parliaments and giving the House of Lords a suspensory veto only. The Karl of Rosebery, presiding at a dinner in honour of Mr Harold Cox's declaration of political independence, made a witty speech on the party system. Kadi party, he said, pooled its conscience, and anyone declining the terms was expelled as grit hindering the oily working of a machine. That body ol silent voters whose opinions would be represented by a man like Mr Cox were now ineffectually represented in Parliament, because they were unorganised and indolent. The Karl concluded by suggesting that the free trade tariff reform issue should be entrusted to a Royal Commission.