BRITISH POLITICS.

Press, Volume LX, Issue 11690, 17 September 1903, Page 5

BRITISH POLITICS.

MINISTERIAL RESIGNATIONS DEPRECATED. THE DANGER OF HASTE. LABOUR'S OPPOSITION TO MR • CHAMBERLAIN. United Press Association—By Electrio 1 elegraph—-Copy right. LONDON, September 15. In its criticism of the position with respect to the fiscal question, the "Standard" deprecates any Ministerial resignations, which it declares to be needless and unnecessary, inasmuch as measures to meet the unfair dumping of foreign products in Britain are not an attack on free trad*?, while the increasingly critical foreign situation and the urgency of army reform de mand the energies of a strong, united Cabinet.

'The "Standard" adds: 'The question of a preferential tariff does not press for immediate solution. Meanwhile Ministers cannot act loyally together in Council if they are conducting a campaign against one another in their constituencies." The journal warns the Cabinet of tho risk of re-opening tho breach and precipitating a formidable secession and revolt.

Sir M. Hicks-Beach, replying to an Irish correspondent, declared that he could not imagine 'how the fiscal proposals could benefit Irish produce, aiming as they did at the United Kingdom's food supplies coming, not from Home sources, but from the colonies instead of fromjoreign countries. The "Birmingham Post" declares that there will be no immediate Cabinet crisis. Sir H. Campbell-Bannerman, acknowledging a resolution adopted at a recent Conference of Co-operative Societies in Glasgow accepting Mr Chamberlain's suggested offer of old age pensions contingent upon tho acceptance of the preferential tariff, said the protest of the leaders of the working class was as a shot against the Government from a "Long Tom." Mr H. H. Asquith.M.P., acknowledging the resolution, rejoiced in the emphatic condemnation of the attempt to revive the shibboleth of protection.