THE BRITISH CRISIS.

Wairarapa Age, Volume XXXII, Issue 10150, 21 November 1910, Page 5

THE BRITISH CRISIS.

STATEMENT BY PRIME MINISTER.

GOVERNMENT BUSINESS. Received November 19, 9 a.m. LONDON, November 18. The House of Commons was crowded when Mr Asquith, the Prime Minister, moved that Government business should take precedence for the remainder of the session. The business, he said,, would be confined to discussion on the Income Tax, Tea Duty, and Sinking Fund. Supplementary Estimates providing for half a million pounds for Old Age Pensions until tne end of *■ arch next would be tabled. L'hree days would be allotted for the Budget debate, and Parliament would be prorogued on Saturday week. PAYMENT OF MEMBERS. It wasintended in 1911, said Mr Asquith, to propose that members of the House of Commons be paid. An opportunity would be given next week for the Lords to decide their position, but they must accept or reject the proposals. He had, hoped the Veto Conference would have reached a settlement of the deadlock, but it was now usele-.s to attempt settlement by agreement. A definite statement regarding the Osborne judgment would be made next week. "WITHOUT PRECEDENT." Mr Balfour said the course Mr Asquith had taken was absolutely without precedent in the history of the country. "He has • chosen a month in which the register is old and the electorates i n the least satisfactory state, except in Scotland." Mr Balfour added that he expected the Government was afraid the House of L)rds would make proposals agreeable to moderate men, arid therefore advised a dissolution. He declared that as a House of Commons man he did not want an elected second chamber, which would usurp the position of the firat chamber. DATE OF DISSOLUTION. Mr Asquith announced that the dissolution would take place on the 28th inst.