BRITISH POLITICS.

Taranaki Daily News, 17 April 1919, Page 5

BRITISH POLITICS.

MR. ASQUITH REAPPEARS. CRITICISM OP GOVERNMENT, OUTLINE OP LIBERALS' POLICY. Received April 18, 5.5 p.m. London, April 12. Mr. Asquith made his first appearance since the elections as the guest at a dinner given by the Independent Liberals. He declared the manoeuvring at the December elections produced a preponderating Tory majority. The people were now realising it was entirely artificial business, constructing a top heavy structure Reading the results of the recent bye-elections, they appeared to be witnessing the early stages of disillusionment and relapse. The attempt ta apply conscription in Ireland was disastrous, destroying the power and prestige of the constitutional party, and necessitating the retention of 'forty thousand troops to maintain order, but J the first condition of a durable basis of law and order in Ireland was to alter the; present system of Government. The Peace Conference was engaged in inaugurating a new era of national selfdetermination m various European communities, but some of these cases from the standpoint of law and order presented difficulties compared with which Ireland's were relatively insignificant. The war finance abundantly justified the governing principles of the British fiscal system Mr Asquith continued:— "We contributed a larger proportion of cur annual cost from taxation than any continental power It is no secret that the next budget would embody some form of Imperial preference The Liberal Party was as anxious as any other to draw closer the Imperial ties." He hoped that effect would be speedily given to the recommendations of the Dominions' Commission Tariff reformers were at present trying to manipulate preference out of tea, wine and such things, but they really wished protection The self-governing colonies were rightly free to choose their own fiscal systems. Britain claimed the same freedom.

Mr. Asquith added that extravagance had become the order of the Bay when there was the greatest need for economy, tliu9 spelling doom to social reform The governing objects of the Liberal policy were as follow:—The maintenance of the Independent party, resistance to legislation favoring classes or interests, and the earliest restoration of political and commeflpial personal freedom, Irish self-government, public economy combined with the maintenance of free trade, pursuant with national minimum of health, comfort and culture,— Aus.-N.Z. Cable Assn.

THE HOME RULE QUESTION.

Received April 16, 5.5 p.m. London, April 15. Air. Bonar Law said that Home Rule could not be brought into effect after peace was signed.—Aus.-N.Z. Cable Assn.

THE HULL ELECTION.

Received April 16, 8 p.m. London, April 12. The result of the Hull election is variously interpreted. The Coalition Liberal press says it is due to delays at the Paris conference, and the absence of bold, democratic reforms at home. The Coalition Unionist papers view the result as a protest against the Government's failure to exact and fulfill the promises respecting thp indemnities at the Peace Conference. Independent Liberal? attach the most importance to conscription. Mr. Kenworthy, the' successful candidate, says the result stands for an early, clean peace, free trade, and the abolition of conscription.—Aus. N.Z. Cable Assoc.