BRITISH POLITICS.

Taranaki Daily News, Volume LII, Issue 318, 18 February 1910, Page 5

BRITISH POLITICS.

I DEMAND FOR LIBERAL PEERS. i By Cable.—Press Association.—Copyright Received February 17, 0.30 p in. London, February 17. Lord Avebury, in a letter to a correspondent, says lie certainly does not think it can be said that the electors condemned the Lords for rejecting the Budget. There is no doubt the result of the elections must exercise a restraining inlluence on the Liberal leaders. "It seems to me," he said, " that Mr. Asquitli has promised Home Rule, but not i-n the immediate futuif.. The Manchester . ...udian demands a large creation of Liberal peers, and states that the expiry of the Braddon compromise will allow a referendum to be seen at work in Australia. A similar check upon the serious disturbance of the constitutional balance might work well in Britain, in conjunction with limiting the duration of Parliaments, giving the Lords a suspensory veto only. THE GOVERNMENT AND THE NATIONALISTS. Received February 18, 12.30 a.m. London, February 17. Several newspapers state that Mr. Redmond will abstain from voting on the Budget. The Times' says that while there is not exactly a hitch in the negotiations with the Nationalists, the position during the past' twenty-four hours has assumed a shape somewhat less satisfactory to the Government. The. advanced Radicals are growingly dissatisfied with the Government's decision that, in the present situation no guarantees can be sought regarding the Lords.

It is explained in Ministerial circles that Mr. Asquith's Albert Hall reference to safeguards necessary before retaining office if re-elected pointed to provisions in the veto Bill.

An inspired statement declares that the session from the beginning is definitely consecrated to the task of dealing with the House of Lords The Chronicle says' that in the debate on the Address-in-Reply Mr. Asquith will outline the policy he proposes to adopt, and will then take the Budget.