AN EMBARRASSED POSITION.

Bay of Plenty Times, Volume XXXVIII, Issue 5475, 21 February 1910, Page 3

AN EMBARRASSED POSITION.

(Received 20, 5 p m.) LONDON, Ffb. 19. *Phe Treasury is issuing four mil- «*>» of bills, payable in a month, ••cent issues have been nine millions P*yable in one month and five and a •Wlf millions payable in two months. Mr Keir Hardie, interviewed at Cnamock, said he had the impression *w the recent guarantees concerning w« Lords had been obtained, as Mr Aaqoitb. had previously declared, •therwise the latter should not as•°nie' office. The impression was •trwgthened when the Cabinet varies were filled. He learned on Tamday "that the Commons were ••ked to pass the Budget first and Wttrt to teki dealing with the Ix>rds *WBi bjesiaca being had policy, was a

h'each of faith with the country on ii r Asquith's part. Mr Hardie argued that a resolution embodying the principles of the Veto Bill would suffice U> make the Commons pass the Budget. Mr Herc^rt Dannie), speaHng at the Kigbty Club dinner, usiii Govern nient's action regarding the LorJs should be swift, courageous and decisive. The Chronicle says the dominating feature of the situation is that nobody wants a dissolution If Mr BalfouV i defeats Government he must introduce the Budget immediately or dissolve It Mr Redmond forces 'defeat and a general election he will lose seats to the O'Brienites If the 1 abourne«= join Mr Redmond they will not im prove their position in the country The Chronicle believes that everybody will prove more reasonable next week than now appears. The Master of Elibank issues whip business on Monday, ad ling thatan important division is possible before the debute on the Address is reached, fbis is unusunl and unexplained. The Times says if Mr Keir Hardies notion is that supplies te refused until the King consents to compel the Lords to commit suicide, the crisis has rendered a public service. The Dublin Chamber of Commerce condemns the reintroductiou of the Budget, as imposing on Ireland undue taxation. Mr Robson, replying at Newcastle, to criticism that Government was in a cleft stick, asked which party was not in a olef t stick ?- He proceeded to discuss Mr Balfour'g difficulties if Government resigned and Mr Balfour were summoned to take office. He contended that the Opposition were in a much more embarrassing position than the Government.