THE LIBERAL PROBLEM.

Auckland Star, Volume XLI, Issue 32, 7 February 1910, Page 5

THE LIBERAL PROBLEM.

-WHICH WILL BE FIRST ? LORDS OR THE BUDGET? (By Cable.—Press Association. —Copyright.) LONDON, February 5. The political comments of the London Liberal newspapers reveal a sharp difference of opinion in the Liberal party _ concerning the tactics to I)e followed regarding the House of Lords. The "Chronicle/ , in a two-column leader, urges the sectional divisions of the party to unite and sink personal rivalries. The leader shows that Mr. Asquith on December 2 stated that the first act of the new Government would be to reimpose the Budget. The '•Chronicle" adds that no other legislation except insurance against unemployment should be attempted until the veto of the House of Lords is abolished. The creating of hundreds of hereditary peers is, says the "Chronicle," distasteful to the democratic sentiment of the country. A strategic danger is, continues the "Chronicle," that the Liberals may be content with submitting a scheme which is capable of being represented as the virtual abolition of the House of Lords. Mr. Balfour would then submit a scheme for a reformed Upper Chamber and the choice of the electors would be doubtful. The "Times" says if Mr. Asquith contemplated a heroic step with regard to the House of Lords he should have gone to the King directly the result of the election was known. Nevertheless, adds the "Times," the time has arrived for a real change in the Second Chamber. A basis for deliberation exists in Lord Rosebeiys report.