BRITISH POLITICS.

Manawatu Herald, Volume XXXII, Issue 829, 21 April 1910, Page 4

BRITISH POLITICS.

THE CROWN AND THE CRISIS. Mr Sydney Brooks writes in the A 'orlh American Review on the crisis in England. He predicts that no nation in its senses would support a system under which a hereditary Chamber which could never be called to account would be able to dominate the elected House. The extraordinary conduct of the Peers he refers to the three facts: First, the Unionist Party as a whole has become so infected with the virus of Tariff Reform that it has parted with almost everything that made the strength of the old Conservatism, and will do and say anything, and, if need be, smash the Constitution, on the off-chance of moving an inch nearer to its goal. The second reason that accounts for “ the madness of the Lords” is the lack of leadership. Had Lord Lansdowne been a second Salisbury, the House of Lords would never have rejected the Budget. Third, “ Had Queen Victoria been on the throne, the Budget would have become law.” She'Would have intensely disliked it, but she would never have permitted the Peers to incur the enormous risks involved in rejecting it. Mr Brooks says ;

“King Edward did what he could to bring the Peers to reason, but while eminently successful in diplomacy abroad, he proved unable to ride the whirlwind at home. This was partly because ever since he came to the Throne his social preferences have somewhat alienated the aristocracy and partly because his Liberal sympathies have equally alienated the Unionists. It is almost a law ot nature that the Heir Apparent should be of opposite political opinion's to the reigning Sovereign. Queen Victoria was a Tory of the Tories; King Edward, both as King and asPrince of Wales, has always been a man of modern views and inclined to Liberalism, and his son, Hie present Prince of Wales, reverts accordingly to his grandmother’s creed. His Majesty’s reputation for Liberalism and the coolness that exists between his “set” and the rest of the nobility placed him at a considerable disadvantage in dealing with the crisis. The influence of the Crown availed nothing against the stubborness of a handful of inlransigciints. spurred on by the zeal for Tariff Reform and by the powerful support they received from the Unionist Press. In an emergency that concerned the Crown only less gravely that it concerned the House of Commons, it has to be recorded that King Edward VH. failed to make himself felt as moderator and counsellor with the weight and effectiveness that Queen Victoria would undoubtedly have commanded.”

Referring to the guarantees that Liberal Ministers will exact before returning to office. Mr Brooks says the only guarantee is the promise by the King that he will be prepared to create a sufficient number of Peers to carry through the House of Lords the desired curtailment of its powers. “Sooner than be swamped by five hundred new men, the House of Lords would agree to anything.”