The Temuka Leader THURSDAY, DECEMBER 30, 1886. ENGLISH POLITICS.

Temuka Leader, Issue 1531, 30 December 1886, Page 2

The Temuka Leader THURSDAY, DECEMBER 30, 1886. ENGLISH POLITICS.

Anotheb political reputation has been destroyed in the vain attempt to withhold from Ireland what the greatest statesman that the present century has seen and the vast majority of the civilised world hold, she is justly entitled to, Titi.: the right to manage her own domestic affairs. Mr Chamberlain, by his defection from the Liberal ranks brooght upon himself the contempt of those who had looked up to him *b the Radical chief; the peevishness and renom which Mr Treyelyan "threw into bis opposition has rendered bim odious, while the great John Bright has greatly damaged an otherwise stainless reputation by his violent attacks on Mr Gladstone, The latest victim of this opposition to Home Rule is Lord Randolph Churchill. At a most critical moment, when a European war appears imminent, be bas thought fit to resign and let bis colleagues manage the best way tbey can. In taking such a step at such a moment be has without doubt politically ruined himself. He was the leader in the House of Commons, he , occupied a position in importance next to the Premiership, and for bim to throw it up at such a critical time renders it improbable that bis party wiil ever trust bim again. He bas brought confasion into the Censervative camp, and it is not likely that that party will again be in a hurry to place in power one who is so intractable. Lord Randolph Churchill may therefore be regarded as politically dead. He cannot for years exercise any great influence in English politics unless he turns completely round, and takes shelter under the Gladstonian standard. There can be no doubt but that it is his predisposition to Liberalism that bas caused him to dissolve the tie that bound him to his colleagues. He has all along been known to hold not only Liberal but very Radical views on many questions. On many occasions during the great fight between the Parnellitss and Gladstonians Lord Randolph Cburchill waß an outspoken champion of the Irish, and frequently voted with them. He and the Lord-Lieutenant of Ireland (Lord Carnavon) were willing to grant a far more liberal measure of Home Rule to Ireland than Mr Gladstone has offered, but they were overruled, and tbey had to submit to adopting coercive measures, which rebutted in the downfall of the Ministry. Lord Churchill wsb in favor of Mr Parnell's recent Land Bill, providing for a temporary reduction of rents, but he had to submit to dictation there too, The Marquis of Hartington, who is an Irish landlord, threatened to withdraw his support from the Ministry unless the Land Bill was opposed, and Lord Randolph Churchill had no option but to obey. There can be no doubt but it is further dictation of this kind that has driven bim to resign. The cablegrams say that he resigned because the amount of money asked for military purposes was excessive, and that he differed also j with his colleagues with regard to their J Local Government proposals. That be differed with bis colleagues on account of the army and navy estimates shows that be is indisposed to go to war. The Conservatives have always been very extravagant with regard to their military expenditure ; the Liberals have been the exact opposite, and it is therefore evident that the difference arose through Lord Churchill opposing the traditional Conservative policy. His well-known views on Local Government must also lead to the conclusion that the proposals of his colleagues in this respect were not in harmony with his more Liberal views. There can be no doubt but the split has been caused through Lord Churchill's Liberalism clashing with the Conservatism of the party, and the result must be the return of Mr Gladstone to power before many months pass over his head. The vacancy caused by the resignation of Lord Churchill may be filled up by an abler man, but that cannot save the Conservatives. They have shown a detfrmination to persist in adhpring to the traditional policy of Conservatism, and this must alienate from them th« support of the Liberals on whom 'Mr political existence depends. The - if Hartington ip»jjoia the ConMarquis . ff £lf not safe them, servat.ves, but ... ,- n wrerytß j Dg put J He is a Conservative ».. *

in name, and the Rooner the Liberals get rid of him the better for ths party. Mr Chamberlain bas already sounded the keynote of secession. He has said that the resignation of Lord Randolph Churchill denotes the triumph of Conservative ideaa in the Cabinet, and calls upon Liberals to reunite, but he has the consumate impudence to suggest to Mr Gladstone to come over to his tiewp. Now Mr Gladstone's followers include the Irish members; he has at least six followers to every ene Mr Chamberlain has, and it is certainly rather out of place for a miserable minority to aßk a powerful majority to Bubmit. Mr Chamberlain now wants Home Rule postponed for the present, but for what reason no ono knows, tie is evidently beginning to coquet with the party again, and it is probable that he will hand in his pubmission before long.