BRITISH POLITICS.

Press, Volume LXV, Issue 13611, 21 December 1909, Page 8

BRITISH POLITICS.

TO THE EDITOR OF "THK PRESS." Sir,—Your report of the attack upon Mr Ure by Mr iialfour is interesting, and those who have not experienced some of the past political campaigns in Britain might think that Mr lialfour was bursting with righteous indignation at what he called a "frigid and calculated lie," but when Mr Chamberlain coined the useful phrase at the election during the South African war, that "every vote given to a Liberal is a vote for the Boers"—which of course frightened many from voting,—Mr Balfour's righteous indignation was tame enough over that "calculated lie."

It mattered not to him nor to Mr Chamberlain that all the Liberal leaders declared that they would never countenance such an idea, and that their ideal was a self-governed Constitution like we have in New Zealand.

That "calculated lie" ! \ras scattered broadcast, at every meeting of the Tory party and in every constituency. Now, we see what the Liberal policy has accomplished in Africa, as it has in every other colony where Home Rale has been granted by the Liberal party. Had the Chamberlain-Milner policy been carried out we would have had another dissatisfied Ireland in Africa, instead of a loyal people as we now see.

Further, the Unionist party havealways wished to make the pension depend upon a contributory system, which no doubt they will endeavour to bring about, and the old people who ar« now disqualified Ey pauperism can certainly say good-hye to their hopes if the Tory party gets into office. They are not likely to increase that which they decried with such energy when proTKised by the Asqiiith Government.

It is the truth that really cuts when people accuse us, and it was this element of truth in Mr tire's statements that hurt Mr Balfour. The Tariffed do not wish the wicked "Radicals t> disentangle and make hare their real intentions, which they, wrap up in ingenious phrases.

Mr Chamherlain pronosed to ohtain £5 000.000 from his system of tariff and refund the loss to the consumer by reducing taxes oil tea and suciar. Even the Tariff Reformers cannot have it and refund it, and if they keep their promises Mr Tire's statement is quite justified. Indeed, if Mr TTre is •wrong, then the Tariff Reform leadens are guilty of a "frigid and calculated lie" in -promising definitely not to in crease the cost of Hvine. which they must do if the £16.000.000 deficit 's to come out of indirect taxes on the people's purchases.—Tours, etc.. DIRECT TAKER.