The Advocate. [Established 1888.] MONDAY, APRIL 13, 1908. BRITISH POLITICS.

Bush Advocate, Volume XX, Issue 1001, 13 April 1908, Page 4

The Advocate. [Established 1888.] MONDAY, APRIL 13, 1908. BRITISH POLITICS.

The change in tlie constitution of the British' Cabinet caused by the retirement of Sir Henry Campbell-Banner-man, which has involved the elevation Oi the Hon. H. H. Asquith to the leadership of the Government, is a matter of Empire interest. It is quite clear, of coarse, that public sentiment, as indicated by the recent by-elections, is going steadily against the Liberals, and whether the advent of Mr Asquith will be sufficient to change the views of the majority of the electors, remains to be seen. There are two question of great public interest that may make or mar the party. These are the Education Bill and the proposed reform of the licensing trade. In the former the Government has to meet the opposition of the Established Church, and in the other they have to encounter tho enormous interests bound up in the liquor trade. We hear a great deal of the evil effects of the trade in New Zealand, but they are as nothing compared to tho horrors attached to the traffic in liquor in the Mother Country. Fortunately, the colony has been saved the misery and degradation of the "gin palace." The Government programme in regard to tho Zfquor question is a fairly coniprohensive one, and tho great brewing companies and distillers may be expected to leave no stone unturned to defeat the Bill. But, apart from these subjects, colonials will feel a greater interest in tho new Government's attitude towards the outposts of the Empire. A strong impression is held by many that the late Premier was largely indifferent to the hopes and aims of the colonies. Without taking into account the views of the Bannerman Cabinet on tho vexed question of tariff reform, it cannot be he-Id with truth that' they have attempted much in the direction of drawing tho great colonies and dependencies into closer relationship with the Motherland. Take the question of the All-read mail route as a case in point. The matter is never

referred to except in all academic way, ami although other countries subsidise their mail lines to foreign countries and distant ports, our socalled Imperial Government will give no assistance- to stkch a desirable object. In Mr Chamberlain the colonies had a sturdy champion, and this is why the large body of colonials cannot look with toleration upon the existence of a Liberal Cabinet. Mr Asquith has now the opportunity of effecting some improvement in this respect, and of showing that his party is not out of sympathy with the distant States. Much will depend upon his choice of a. Minister, for the Colonies. Mr Winston Churchill may fancy he has a claim to that responsible position, but his appointment to th.it post would undoubtedly not be acceptable to the overseas dominion. Mr Asquith has the reputation of not being imbued with the "Little England" proclivities of his late leader ,and it is certainly to be hoped that he will at the outset of his career as Premier find a colleague to attend to matters of Imperial interest who will command the respect and esteem of those dependencies of the Empire with whom his official duties will, mostly be transacted.