MR. ASQUITH'S PLATFORM

Taihape Daily Times, 3 January 1919, Page 6

MR. ASQUITH 'S PLATFORM

FREE TRADE AND IRELAND

Addressing the London Liberal Federation in November last, Mr. Asquith, said he thought a general election, "both a blunder and a calamity," and 'based his criticism on the difficulty of getting s'oldiers to record their votes. Proceeding, Mr. Asquith said that, an election being now upon them, the country had to make the best of it, and the first question for those who all their lives had been Liberals was: Where ought we to stand? "I tell you frankly for myself," he added, "that I go into the election .as a Liberal, without prefix or suffix, without label or hallmark, of any sort or description. That will not prevent me, nor ought it to prevent any fellow-Liberal, from giving hearty support and the ( fullest eo-operation to any Government, by whatever name it is called, which grapples with the problems of reconstruction on progressive and democratic lines." Referring to the question of Free Trade, Mr. Asquith said its value was proved by the war, because it had enabled them to bear upon their shoulders practically the whole heavy burden of the alliance. ■Speaking of Ireland, Mr. Asquith said he was prepared to agree to any reasonable provision for meeting the susceptibilities or apprehensions of what was called the Irish minority. The plan proposed two years ago, was put forward by the present Prime Minister by" his (<Mr Asquith's) authority, and he was perfectly prepared to see it carried into effect today. The difficulties were great, and were not minimised by the fact that Sir Edward Carson was not only denouncing rebellion, actual or potential" in every other part of Ireland except Ulster, but proclaiming from the housetops .and the wharf sides that there must be no Home Rule. After declaring that they must get "back as soon as they could to the old atmosphere of freedom, Mr Asquith said the Liberals had before

them, a perfectly clear course, into which they would throw the whole weight of their party. Let them keep their eyes open and their hands clean. Mr Asquith gave his formal approval to the Nine Points programme of the Temperance Council of tho Christian Churches of England and Wales. The nine points are: Restricted hours of drink sale on week-days, reduction of licensed premises, control oi clubs, increased power for licensing authorities, Sunday closing, no sale of intoxicants to the young, local option, and alternatives to liquor taverns for non-alcoholie refreshments, recreation and social intercourse. y Thse points Mr Asquith told a deputation, ought to meet with- the approval of all social reformers.