The Daily News. FRIDAY, AUGUST 2, 1912. BRITISH POLITICS.

Taranaki Daily News, Volume LV, Issue 64, 2 August 1912, Page 4

The Daily News. FRIDAY, AUGUST 2, 1912. BRITISH POLITICS.

I There are indications that the British Cabinet is* not a happy family, and that the division line between the two groups constituting the Gpvernment—LiberalRadicals, on the one side, and the Imperialists, on the other —is growing deeper und broader. When the Government first came to power, the then Prime Minister (the late Sir Henry Campbell - Eannerman) commanded a practical dictatorship. He was of the Gladstonian Radical school, and he was supported by Lord Loreburn, Lord Morlcy, Mr. LloydJ George, Mr. John Burns, and other strong

men. They commanded a majority in the Cabinet and the legislation was shaped accordingly. This balance was not disturbed during the Premiership of "C.-B." As time went on, however, the centre of power began to shift to the Liberal-Imperialists, until now the Cabinet contains one definite Radical (Mr. Lloyd-George) and three Gladstonian Liberals (Lord Morley, Mr. L. Harcourt and Mr. Burns), whilst the rest of the body bears the Imperialist stamp, and practically controls the policy of the country, inside and outside.' The Radical-Liberals arc violently opposed to the foreign policy of the Government, it having, they consider, advanced far beyond Lord Lansdowne's cautious approach to Continental engagements and increased armaments to a point unattained by any Tory Administration. This Imperialistic policy, the working of which has been quiet and smooth, without a soldier's or a leader's revolt, lias, they contend, had the effect of antagonising Germany and making possible a conflict with her at any time. Most of the Imperial Ministers, however, have helped considerably in the Government's campaign of social reform. Home llule for Ireland, the settlement of the South African problem, measures for the improvement of the position in Tndia. etc. The Radicals are more concerned about the amelioration of the social conditions of Great Britain and Ireland than they are about engaging in weltpolitiks. They regard the Old Age Pensions and (he Insurance Act, just put in operalion, as but the foundations of a great social edifice, and are desirous of concentrating their attention on the land question, which was the chief issue of

most of tbi' by-elections that- have taken place recently. The land question in the Old Country, like it is in this, has often been agitated, but has never been solved. nor has any substantial progress been Tnade Avilh three closely attendant questions- Hie Wage question. I lie JiOitMUg ■ question, and the rating question. The countryside is being rapidlv depleted of Its population, though the cry for land is just as insistent there as it is here in Xew Zealand. The land monopolist, pays no heed to the cry. for he is too bu-y ttirniii<r the oouutrvside into a rauehe

and a game preserve. It is a big and diflicult problem, but there are men like Mr. Lloyd-George who are not afraid to tackle and settle it—and the monopolists. Money, and a good deal of money, is

wanted for the social schemes in operation and projected, but whilst the race for armaments continues there is little hope of a sufficient supply being available. The Radicals say this race can be arrested by coming to a diplomatic understanding with Germany, helping rather than retarding her legitimate expansion in different parts of the world, and co-operating with her in the great .work of the uplifting of humanity, irrespective of race, color or creed. The Imperialists of the Cabinet, on the other hand, are openly suspicious of Germany's ■aims and aspirations, and say that the very time Britain slackened in the buildof warships, and thereby showed her i sincerity in regard to reducing armaments, Germany hastened her building operations and is now straining her reI sources to get alongside Britain and meet her on level terms, which the Imperialists declare they will never allow, and in this determination they have the cordial support of the Unionist party. , With differences so acute, one side oontinually pulling a'gainst the other, it is difficult to say how long the two sections will continue to occupy the same boat. A "crisis may be precipitated at any moment—we were lately told by Mr. IT. W. Massingham, one of the foremost leaders of Liberal opinion, in Britain, that elements of a change and even of dissolution were in the air—and the result would be sheer speculation to anticipate. This fact, however, is clear: Britain has a difficult '■and troublesome time ahead, and it will require all the ability, vigor and' patriotism of her statesmen to steer her'clear of the shoals and rocks that beset her at every turn.