BRITISH POLITICS.

Taranaki Daily News, Volume LI, Issue 104, 23 April 1908, Page 3

BRITISH POLITICS.

o LMOMStS (JAIN A SEAT. London, April 21. ■Mi. James Fitzallcn Hope (Unionist) b»* been elected JI.P. for .Sheffield Central without opposition. THE MANCHESTER ELECTION. j THE IRISH INFLUENCE. London, April 21. The leader of the Irish Nationalist J Party, Mr. John Redmond, is cont-ider-ing Mr. Churchill's Home lluk statement before foully advising tbc electon bow to vote. The Times sayo the Dublin Nationalist party arrived at its decision some days ago. The majority, including most of the younger and abler members, took definite sides with Mr. Churcliill. However, the League s standing commit- : tees will doubtless contrive to save Mr. Redound's face. He was under a serious misconception regarding the' party's ' views when ue spoke against Mr. Churchill's candidature. !

POLICY SPEECH BY Mlt. LLOYD-C-EURUE. Received April 22, B.U p.m. London, April 22. Mr. D. Lloyd-George, Chancellor of the Exchequer, speaking at Manchester, predicted old-age pensions within twelve months. He denied that the Liberals Were abandoning their programme of advanced social reform in order to win back, according to a suggestion which had been made, the confidence of the country. If they did that they would win the contempt or the country. He did not believe that Manchester, standing on the great principles of 1906, would sell them in 1908. The defeat of Mr. Churchill would be a blow to tree trade. He added that free trade was the Alpha, not the Omega of lii.; liberal policy which would be built thereon. They must be careful not to .remove the foundation. He emphasised the need of courage to combat the monopoly of privilege and the oh•trnetivenew of vested interests, whether with regard to the education question or the liquor trade.

THE UNIONIST CANDIDATE. EXHOKTATION FROM MR. BALFOUR. Received April 22. 9.51 [i.iu. London, April 22. Mr. Balfour, in a letter to -Mr. Hick*, the Unionist candidate' for Manchester, predicts that he will win. lie says toe fact that the President of the Board of [Trade should nod his own power* insufficient to defend the teal, and that the new Chancellor of the Exchequer ha> been driven to come to his assistance, is an unwilling tribute to Mr. Hicks' eloquence and the party's entbusasni whicn any candidate might envy. The more the members of the Government explain their use of political power, the less likely are they to retain it. Commenting on the attitude of Free-traders, he adds that such divisions are wasting maladies to great organisations. The evil they are doing is increased by any attempt to disguise the vast majority ol the party'* resolve to deal with' the flseaf question. My hope for complete unity, Mr. Balfour proceeds, is based Upon the growing conviction that they Will all ultimately see the fiscal system broken down at every standpoint, including Peel's and Gladstone's. Then lb* alternative proposals will liave a fair hearing from the small section of Unionists still dreading a change, thougu tbe*e may meanwhile stand aloof. He k confident that Mr. Hicks will liegin by restoring to the Unionist principle: the great community which once was, and again will be, a strength and glory to the Unionist cause.

CHURCHILL'S HOME RULE PROPOSALS. SECURES THE IRISH VOTE. Received April 23, 12.47 a-in. London, April 22. The Standing Committee of the Irish League of Great Britain recommended the Nationalists to vote for Mr. Churchill, on the grounds that the latter had declared, on Mr. Asuuith's authority. that Home Rule, in the sense of Mr. Redmond's resolution, would lie submit ted to the electors by the Government at next general election. The standing Committee of the Irish U-ague at Dublin communicated this instruction to the Standing Committee of the League of Great Britain before the latter issued the above recommendation signed by Mr. Redmond and T. P. O'Connor.