BRITISH POLITICS.

Taranaki Daily News, Volume LI, Issue 39, 5 February 1908, Page 3

BRITISH POLITICS.

TAB IFF REFORM. London, February 3. Tariff reform played a very prominent part in the South Hereford election, in whieh the L nioaist candidate was victorious.

THE FISCAL LSSL'E. London, February 3. The Hon. Dr. llacnamara, speaking It Cknbridge, nid the fiscal issue was put la »uch a cunning and attractive gniM aa to deceive many voters. PosaiMy the country would have to go again through the fires of adversity in older to appreciate free-trade. DREADNOUGHTS OK I'EXSIOXSJ | Beceived 4th, 10Jo p.m. London, February 4The Daily News states that Liberals arc much surprised at the Government proposing to spend on Dreadnoughts the money needed for pensions. The action, the paper adds, must inevitably severely strain party loyalty.

THE IRISH DISAFFECTION". DEBATE IK THE LORDS. Received 4th, 11 p-m. London, February 8. Lord Dudley, in the House of Lords, **id be believed the Irish cattle-driving originated, not owing to drivers' covetotuneas, but to the patriotic devotion to national demands. While warmly advocating the governing of Ireland according to Irish ideas, he did not consider that course necessarily involved the granting of Home Rule. He regarded the application of the Crimes Act as inconsistent with the whole spirit of unionism. Lord Ashbourne said that when the last Government left office. Ireland was in a state of perfect order, and at the end Of six months it was in a state o£ demoralisation and disorder. Intimidation was rampant. Cattle-driving prevailed in ten counties. A system, which could have been stopped in a month, had reached gigantic proportions. Lord Lorebnrn insisted that the dis-i order was much exaggerated. Cattledriving had mneh diminished. The Government declined to apply the Crimes 'Act because it would create exasperation and bitterness, and would be productive of more evil than good. Hie Address-in-Reply was carried.