SPEECHES BY POLITICAL LEADERS.

Press, Volume LXV, Issue 13610, 20 December 1909, Page 7

SPEECHES BY POLITICAL LEADERS.

(Received December 10th, 5.5 p.m.) LONDON, December 18. Mr Lloyd-George, speaking at Walworth, said that since tho Budget was introduced trade has steadily improved, and tho unemployed have steadily declined, while imports and exports had risen. The rejection of the Budget was the result of a conspiracy between the great manufacturers and the landlords, in order to increase the former's profits and the latter's rents. He added:—"The cloud is now lifting from the lowly and humble homes of the people, and a fine day is coming. \v'e now have the highest wages and fhe cheapest conditions of life in Europe." Mr John Burns, M.P., speaking at Battersea, said the Government must complete tho Pensions schemes. They wanted three millions sterling more, for 277,000 people were now disqualified as being paupers. Lord Milner, at Huddersfield, declared the man in tho street was as cool as a cucumber regarding the House of Lords. Lord Curzon, addressing a meeting of 3500 at Derby, said that Tariff reform would enable the Government to exact a substantial tribute from the foreigners. The movement had progressed greatly amongst the intellectual classes, manufactures and workers. If the Unionists were returned they would be able easily to produce a Budget and construct a tariff which would begin by imposing a uniform duty on foreign manufactures, with preference for colonial and Indian produce. fie declared that' Home Rule was more dangerous' than formerly, because if the Liberals were returned the last barrier against disintegration would be overthrown.