APPEAL TO THE COUNTRY.

Auckland Star, Volume XLI, Issue 270, 14 November 1910, Page 5

APPEAL TO THE COUNTRY.

ON THE VETO POLICY BEFORE BUDGET IS PASSED. GOVERNMENT'S DECISION. (By Cable.—Press Association.—Copyright) LONDON, November 12. The Cabinet has decided not to proceed with the Budget in the House of Commons, but to go to the country oft the veto policy before the Budget is passed. There is much speculation as to whether Mr. Asquith has asked the King for a guarantee regarding the creation of new peers contingent upon the result of the general election. Unionist papers insist on the futility of a fresh election, and the hopelessness of Mr. Asquith expecting a sufficient majority to enable the Government to carry on without the Redmondites and the Socialists. They appeal to the moderates on both sides to unite against the extremists, who alone are forcing a dissolution. The "Morning Post" states that the Liberals realise that the delaying of the elections would favour the Unionists, hence their unanimous desire to go to the country at the earliest moment. The "Times" says the Unionists hope, inasmuch as the Earl of Crewe had admitted that Lord Rosebery's resolutions for the reform of the Lords had priority over those put forward by the Government, that Lord Rosebery ■will proceed with his proposals, thereby enabling the Lords to formulate a scheme for the reform of their own House. Thus the Unionists' programme, embodying the reform of the Lords, would go to the country against the Government's veto policy, the issues being thereby made clearer. The "Times" adds that the public do not desire an election which is forced by a small minority of Irish members, Socialists, and other extremists, who were responsible for the failure of the Conference. The Nationalists practically controlled the situation. Mr. R-edmond had the Government in the hollow of his hand. The price of the Irish party's support was not devolution, 'but Parnellite Home Rule. The breakdown of the Conference had been received in Ireland with a feeling of relief. Mr. Redmond's position had been strengthened, and the Ulster Unionist party is more confident and more fearless than ever. EFFECT ON MONET MARKET. NEW YORK, November 13. There is much speculation in Wallstreet as to the probable effect the British crisis will have on the international monetary situation. Poor Mr. Balfour! The Leader of the Opposition has .broken his long silence, but though he spoke for a long hour and a-half at Edinburgh recently, he has not succeeded in satisfying the demands of his followers for a definite programme and a clear lead. The result is that the Unionist revolt has come to a head with a vengeance, and Mr. Balfour is being bitterly attacked from within his own camp (says our London correspondent). . With biting earcasm, the "Morning Post" congratulates Mr. Balfour on his luck at having hia Edinburgh speech completely overshadowed by the sudden and drama-tic revolution in Portugal, adding that the fact tiiat a lack of public attention "is the severest commentary that can be made on the published utterances or executive acts of any statesman."

Urging the need for a trumpet call to bring"""into a eingle line of battle the "whole forces of Unionism, the same journal says: "From quarter after quarter . . . the cry for a definite programme and a clear lead has gone up to the political heavens. To this demand, Mr. BaHour has replied in a speech which resembles far more such impartial summaries of political feeling as appear in . . the 'AiHumil Register' than a. fighting proclamation which would rally the party on what may prove the eve either of dte Austerlitz or its Sedan. A philosophic disquisition, however wise, is not a programme the democracy can understand; a careful balancing of rivalviews is not a battle cry." The "Post" then complaine bitterly of the nebulous character of the statements of the Leader of the Opposition on the question of the land and small holdings, and concludee with a mordant attack ■on this "Leader who -will not lead," in the course of which Mr. Balfour is plainly told that he is breaking up the Unionist party, and it is bluntly stated that there is, and can be, no alternative 'Ministry to that of Mr. Asquith until the Unionist Leaders know their minds and have the courage and intelligence to place a well-defined programme be* fore the people of England. "The Standard" has its own particular grievance against Mr. Balfoair—his "total silence" on the question of Imperial defence. "Unionists," it says, "can only regard this inexplicable omission on Mr. Balfour's part with regret and a deep dissatisfaction." The "Globe" is equally emphatic in its protests against the "Leader's" "lead." Here are come of its comments on the speech:—"Neither light nor leading," "vagueness of aim and uncertainty of method"; and it adds:— "All over the country the industrial classes . . . are asking for some sketch of the reform of the tariffs which they may expect if the Unionist party is returned to power. That sketch was not given, and they know no more than' they did of Mr. Balfour's attitude towards the taxation of food, of raw materials, and of manufactured goods." Mr. Balfour is indeed being- unmercifully roasted on all sides, and ■ his retention of the leadership of the Unionist party is to-day a matter upon which speculation is quite justifiable.