BRITISH POLITICS.

Manawatu Herald, Volume XXXII, Issue 926, 3 December 1910, Page 4

BRITISH POLITICS.

London, Nov. 30. The Times, referring to Mr Balfour’s speech, says the opponents of Mr Balfour lacked the courage fo submit tariff reform to the judgment of the country. The paper adds: “The leader of the Opposition never received more enthusiasm and unanimous proof that he had a whole audience with him.” The Daily Mail applauds Mr Balfour’s declaration, and says it proves that the Unionists trust the people, and enables free traders to vote against the Government. The Daily Express states : “Mr Balfour rallied and inspired all the forces of Unionism.” The Daily Chronicle says : “If a referendum does not involve a change of Government, then goodbye to the whole system of party government. The Daily News declares: “ The cancellation of the Parliament’s commission by repeated referenda is an antithesis to representative government.” Mr Harcourt is confined to his bed. His wife is conducting his electioneering campaign in the Ressendale division. The Liberals will contest all the London seats except the City. Polling will take place in 55 electorates on Saturday, including the western divisions of Birmingham, Bristol, Manchester, Salford, Camberwell, and Shoreditch, and also at Grimsby, Darlington, and Newington. Truth says: “The peers have suddenly changed their front, but they are wise in their generation to offer even a half measure.” The paper condemns the inflammatory appeal 01 Mr Lloyd George to class prejudices. The Irish leaders have issued a manifesto stating that the deleat of the House of Lords will clear the path for Home Rule. The Hon. George Wyudham, Conservative member for Dover, speaking at Manchester, said that 43 in every 100 trade unionists are unemployed to-day. Thirty years ago the proportion was 10 in every rooo. This want of employment is due to allowing imported goods to be sold below the cost of production. Lord Joicey, in a letter to the electors ofNewcastle says : Socialists have captured the Cabinet and trade unions though they are in the minority in both. Instead of promoting reforms like Gladstone, Bright, and Cobden,

they are mere wreckers.” Mr Lloyd George, who is conducting a busy campaign in Wales, attended two meetings in Cardiff, addressing 5000 people at each.

The Morning Post is doubtful about the wisdom of Mr Balfour’s hasty pledge, and is of opinion that the change will have far-reaching consequences. Hitherto, when a general election was permitted, the Government earned its policy. It is now suggested that an additional mandate be required. The Daily Telegraph declares

that Mr Balfour struck dismay into the coalition by stating that tariff reform caunot rest ou anything except the undoubted approval of a settled majority of the nation.

Messrs Bonar Law and George Wyndham M’.sP. applauded Mr Balfour’s declaration.

At Colchester yesterday the Hon. Winston Churchill, Home Secretary, was pelted with rotten fish and mud. The windows of the Liberal Committee room were smashed. The Young Liberal Party’s van was destroyed. A large force of police subsequently patrolled the streets, fearing retaliation in Unionist quarters. Mr T. P. O’Connor, in an election address, said : ‘ ‘ The people haveiat last the opportunity of ridding themselves forever of servitude to the prejudiced and insolent aristocracy. The election appeals to Irishmen mainly because the future liberty and happiness of Ireland depend on the extinction of their Lordships in the absolute veto. Lord Brassey, in forwarding

£SOO to Mr P. O’Brien’s All for Ireland fund, says : “ Ireland has no worse enemies than these extremists who either preach hatred of England, or of Orangemen who threaten bloodshed if the existing form of Government is not pre-

served.” The Westminster Gazettee says : The Tories have uproariously welcomed a referendum as a device enabling them to escape the presumed unpopularity of

:ariff leform, while permitting

them to capture votes on the plea that they are ardently in favour of taxing the foieigner. Lord Rosebery, speaking at Manchester, expressed alarm at the encroachment on personal liberty under the present Government bv means of bureaucratic inquisition, and emphasised the danger to the State from Irish dictation subsidised by foreign gold. He asked whether this was not a greater danger than the single Chamber proposal, London, Dec. i.

Mr Lloyd George, Chancellor of the Exchequer, is busy campaigning in Wales. He attended two meetings at Cardiff, and addressed 5000 persons at each.

Yesterday, at Llandrindod Wells, in Radnor, the Chancellor said it was impossible for workmen to find a million and a-half, which the referendum would cost, in addition to the public expenses ; therefore the people would be left at the mercy of the rich. The referendum was a dodge ; it put the poor man at the mercy of the great.

Mr Birrell, Chief Secretary for

Ireland, addressing the electors at Bristol, declared that the refer-

eudum is a delusive and dangerous proposal, calculated to destroy free and lepresentative government whereby business men are elected to convert great principles into practical legislation. Lord Cromer, in a letter to freetraders, trusts Mr Balfour’s welcome declaration will remove all hesitation.

Mr Harold Cox, formerly Liberal M.P. for Preston, in the course of a letter, says Mr Balfour’s declaration has dispelled every legitimate anxiety, and freetraders can wholeheartedly work for such a reform of the Constitution as will safeguard liberties of Englishmen against the tyranny of a chance majority in the House of Commons.

The Earl of Crewe, Secretary of State for India, speaking at Devonport, deprecated the raising of a naval loan, which would endanger the peace of Europe.

The Ulster auti-Nationalist fighting tund has now reached ,£24,000.

The newspaper Truth says that the Peers have suddenly changed front, but if they are wise in their generation they will offer even a half measure. The paper condemns Mr Lloyd George’s inflammatory appeals to class prejudice.

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