SATURDAY, SEPT. 26, 1903. THE CRISIS.
Tub. resignation of Mr Chamberlain and of other members of the Unionist Cabinet has not been an event that those who have been carefully following the cable news were unprepared for, it certainly can not be described as a " bolt from the blue " to quote a contemporary, for the atmosphere has for some time been charged with electricity and the political sky extremely cloudy. The manner of the resignation however, we should say, was about unique, and the letter of conveyance has a vein running through it giving the impression that the Colonial Secretary believes that he holds the key of the situation. That the resignation should be simultaneous with those of the other members of the Cabinet opposed to the preferential tariff policy seems apparently to Mr Balfour and to public opinion at Home to be paradoxical. AYe are still of the opinion we have before expressed that the question at issue has not been the only "rift in the lute;" and that Mr Chamberlain is not sorry to have an excellent ostensible reason for withdrawing from a ministry in which for some time dissension has existed.
The cleavage in the Cabinet resembles the break up of the conservative cabinet of 1846 under the Premiership of Sir Eobert Peel. It is possible that history may repeat itself, with a difference : free trade caused the former split, and the political pendulum noAv
indicates a return to pi tween the Avorship of frt fetish, and a thorough goi protection there should b>' *t" baltmiplace, and this the Imperii -Fivmi-n evidently believes is tenabh. Wni. Mr Balfour with him the late Colonial Secretary will commence tiel new political propaganda, Avhich he is evidently intending, with some chance of success. We may anticipate that a dissolution of the Imperial parliament will shortly take place, and the forces will be arrayed to contest a battle over one of the most momentous fiscal questions that the British Empire has known for half a century.
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Rodney and Otamatea Times, Waitemata and Kaipara Gazette, 26 September 1903, Page 2
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335SATURDAY, SEPT. 26, 1903. THE CRISIS. Rodney and Otamatea Times, Waitemata and Kaipara Gazette, 26 September 1903, Page 2
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