IMPERIAL POLITICS.

Stratford Evening Post, Volume XXXIV, Issue 94, 16 December 1912, Page 5

IMPERIAL POLITICS.

SPEECH BY LORD LANSDOWNE. (By Electric Telegraph.—Copyright.) (United Press Association.) London, December 14. Addressing the Nineteen Hundred Club, Lord Lausdowno said that the only legislation that had any chance of success was that introduced for the securing of votes. This led to extravagance, which would soon make a normal expenditure of £200,000,000. A little care would make Irish pensions less comprehensive and less costly. When insurance was dangled before the country it was promised that it would not cost the country a farthing. Next year’s cost would bo £700,000, and in another year £1,500,000, to secure the doctors’ co-operation. The Chancellor once said that the Cabinet bad a financial conscience, but it had become the prodigal son of the family. (Received 9.15 a.m.) London, December 15.

A leading article and many letters in the Spectator urge the Unionist leaders to retain Mr Balfour’s promise of a referendum for tariff reform.

Spectators assert that Lord Lansdowne, in his Albert Hall speech, withdrawing the referendum pledge, will do incalculable harm.

The ‘lrish Times’ says that Irish Unionists are alarmed at the repudiation of the referendum pledge, and its possible effect on Lancashire and Yorkshire. It claims that Irish Unionists are entitled to ask tariff reformers to make this sacrifice.

Mr. Redmond, at Ipswich, denied that the House of Commons had been gazetted. He thanked the Liberals on behalf of Ireland for their devotion.