UNIONIST RALLY.

Wairarapa Age, Volume XXXI, Issue 10713, 16 November 1912, Page 5

UNIONIST RALLY.

IMPORTANT POLICY STATEMENT. TARIFF REFORM ADVOCATED. RECIPROCITY WITH THE DOMINIONS. (Received Last Night, 10.10 o'clock.) LONDON, November 15. Ton thousand Unionists attended a gathering in the Albert Hall and ovationed Mr Bonar Law, Leader of the Opposition. The cheering lasted for five minutes. The Ulstermen brought the largest Union Jack in the world and stretched it full length across the-'platform. Lord Lansdowne made an important policy announcement. Ho remarked that if the Unionists Avon the general election they would bo free to undertake tariff reform, and entei" into reciprocal arrangements with the Dominions, without further reference. I .to the constituencies. Tariff reform, ho said, would bo their foremost plank. There must ho a free bargain with the Dominions. Eadh side? would doubtless trunk most of all of their own people, but both would think of the Empire. "Tf the Dominions ask us to return a substintial advantage, they are prepared. Thev want u.s to grant them a moderate duty on l'ircign wheat, sufficient to bring to f.'te Motherland markets- unlimited sunplies from all Canada and Australia. The Unionists will examine the proposal, undeterred by the cry of tny : ation of food. T!:- 1 Unionists are prepared to give a Twofold undertaking: First, to fix tin- precise- limits, so that'such t.'ixuviji will not exceed the limit's without the people'r further authorisation; seeoodlv, a"'" revenue from such taxes will be devoted to the allev'ation of tbr> wo-'-ers' burdens. Thus, wo will make good Mr Balfour's assurancn thai e.nlonial reciprocity will not involve the workers' cost of living." |

SPEECH BY MR BOXAR LAV/. HE TROUNCES THE GOVERNMENT. HOME RULE WILL BE WRECKED (Received This Morning, 12.20 o'clock.)

LONDON, November L>. Mr Bon.ir Law, Leader of the Opposition, after fully concurring in Lord Lansdoivne's tariff reform proposal as the first constructive ■ , -..:r.-. in the Unionist policy, declare:! thai, the party's immediate duty was to get rid of the present Ministry. He quoted Lacky's saying that ".i Government of gamblers and adventurers was tli: 1 worst possible Government." Mr Bnnar Law applied these words to Mr Asmiith. O-oud cries of "Traitor!") The present Government was one which, if allowed to carry on:, its programme, would lead the country headlong to ruin. Its one constructive effort, the Parliament, Act. wa-■ a. machine for destruction; but it would .orove a -boomerang tvhic'i would wound its wielders. Tho Government was responsible'for YVodnC - day's scene. He did not regret that disturbance. Had tho Prime Minister's resolution been carried the House of Commons would h ive been destroyed, and the Opposition would nave had to share the responsibility. The audience hero sprang to iu feet and cheered, hooting the Premier's name, and some freelv using the forbidden word "Traitor!" Mr "Bonar Law added that he would he glad if. through the Speaker, a way out could be found, enabling tin resumption of the. discussion, even under truncated Parliamentary form-;.

, but that would not terminate the '• crisis. (Cheers.) The Unionists would try to wreck Home Rule in the House of Commons, hut if i f . became law. they would not try. They would i then surely wreck it. (Cheers.) Th-' j Unionists insisted that tlio Bill should I he submitted to the electorates. 1 hey | would thus try and avert a calamity greater than the degradation of t l i-> , House of Commons, namely, a, civil war within tlio United Kingdom.