BRITISH POLITICAL CRISIS.

Taranaki Daily News, Volume LII, Issue 200, 28 September 1909, Page 2

BRITISH POLITICAL CRISIS.

REJECTION BY THE LOIIDS ANTICIPATED. THE CHANCES OK TARIFF REFORMERS. By Cable.—Press Association.—Copyrigi London, September 28.

The Manchester Guardian says the weight of the Opposition's opinion shows in fiivor of Lord Lansdowne proposing in the llouso of Lords u motion for the postponement of the Budget on the ground that the country should be consulted. Technically, this tvould not be a rejection, and the Government could continue to collect revenue under t'le Budget resolutions until the election. Tiie Spectator says in view of Air. Balfour's allowing Mr. Chamberlain a direct appeal, the Lords read his presence, without protest, as a dear official opinion that the Unionist party now favors the rejection of the Budget. The policy of forcing an immediate dissolution is a gamble. If the Unionists go to the country as food taxers they will light under such disadvantages tliut their ptospects will be precarious. Mr. Joseph Chamberlain stands for West Birmingham. As a murk of sympathy the Liberals have arranged that lie will not be opposed.

The Tariff Reform league is arranging 1200 meetings' and distributing 20 million pamphlets during the next three weeks. The Liberal Unionist Association is holding 200 meetings eaeli week, nnd the Budget Protest League 300 eaeli week. The Budget League has already held 2327 meetings in favor of the Budget. Tliev have been attended by 1,034,000 people.

THE PRIVILEGED FEW. LIBERALS GIRDING THEIR LOINS l-OI! THE FRAY. Received 27, 10.30 p.m. London, September 27. Tiie Solicitor-General, speaking at Swadlincote, said Mr. Balfour had declared that Ihe Budget created insecurity. Tile insecurity it created was to those privileges wTifrh already had lasted too long. What was the alternative to the Budget? A voice: Tariff reform.

The Solicitor-General: No, Mr. Itnlfour was not so plain us that. Jlr. Buifour said, "Judicious tariff reform, coupled with it preference."' Why did \u; not say whether food was to he laxca? lie did not tell the Lords what they should do. The Liberal Party must gird tln'ii- loins for battle against the privileged few and for the welfare of the multitude.

Sir C. McLaren, speaking at Rosworth, said he would consider a general election upon th:> Budget as one wherein the existence of the House of lxmls would ')C at stake. Liberals would welcome such a challenge.