The Daily News. SATURDAY, MARCH 28, 1914. THE HOPE OF THE TORIES.

Taranaki Daily News, Volume LVI, Issue 257, 28 March 1914, Page 4

The Daily News. SATURDAY, MARCH 28, 1914. THE HOPE OF THE TORIES.

There is always something- peculiarly fascinating about political prophecies, in spite of the accepted axiom that in politics it is generally the unexpected that happens. The state of the parties in the .British Parliament at present, and the critical nature of political issues at present, have conduced to thu growth of an unusually keen interest in future probabilities. For months past affairs of State have been in a condition of acute uncertainty, the Irish question in particular having created a crisis, with civil war looming apparently not far ahead. At one time, a few weeks ago, it seemed as though there would be a disruption in the Cabinet, becauso'of the difference of opinion that had arisen regarding naval expenditure. The Conservative or Unionist papers wero strongly insistent upon this "rift in the lute." They alleged that ' the unity of the nation was threatened ' by Home Rule, and the safety of the nation was menaced by a diminution of naval strength. This poignant situation was made more dramatic by the press and public insisting that the struggle of principle was also ji struggle for supremacy between the two most picturesi que figures in English politics to-day, Mr. Winston Churchill on the one hand and Mr. Lloyd George on the other. It has been generallly assumed that the Radical Chancellor is the stronger of the two, and that in the event of a struggle he would be victorious. In such a case, the First Lord of the Admiralty would resign his portfolio, and it is freely asserted, would join the Tory party. Mr. T. P. O'Connor, writing on the situation, says it is well-known that Mr. Churchill has cast longing eyes in that direction. "lie .sees them without a leader who can inspire their troops. The disappearance of Mr. Balfour, who was Mr. Churchill's chief obstacle, personal and political, to leadership, is accompanied by the obvious failure of Mr". Bonnr Law to rise to magnetic or effective leadership. In addition Mr. Churchill retains amid his present democratic surroundings all his old aristocratic instincts and though compelled to associate with middle-class Liberals in public has continued to find his private companionship among his old aristecratic and Tory friends." At the time he wrote this, Mr. O'Connor thought it might turn out "that at a certain moment, Mr. Churchill will present Messrs Asquitli and Redmond with an ultimatum and ask them to choose between surrender to Sir Edward Carson and the Orangemen or his virulent hostility." The expected has not happened as yet. Mr. Churchill's naval policy has been universally approved, and whereas he had been encouraging the Ulster "rebels" by certain of his utterances, he has since delivered a strong and stirring address in favor of the passing of the Home Rule Bill. It was doubtless seen by the astute First Lord that the time was not yet opportune, for changing sides. He had received a plain invitation to do so, for a' Tory paper, believing that Liberal Imperialists and Unionists would join, forces under Mr. Churchill's leadership, had invited signatures to the following pledge:—"Wo, the undersigned, bog to assure the Right. Hon. Winston Churchill, P. 0., M.P., that, should he decide so to modify his existing position in political life as to associate himself with a British National party having as its policy the preservation of the security of the nation by land and sea, a peaceful settlement in Ireland, and (the drastic reform of the social and industrial conditions of the people at hpme, we will give him our enthusiastic support." Simultaneously with this, several prominent Unionists boldly appropriated some of the agrarian and social reforms of the Liberal party, in an attempt to show that the Tories were the true friends of the people. The plot to disrupt the Cabinet has, however, failed. Ministers present a strong and united front, and appear determined at .all hazards to carry through the measures to which they arc pledged: but the situation still holds possibilities of sudden and unexpected developments that mar result in the dissolution of Parliament and the holding of a general election, with consequent postponement of Homo Rule for a futhcr period of three years.