BRITISH POLITICS.

Dominion, Volume 3, Issue 814, 11 May 1910, Page 4

BRITISH POLITICS.

The great political issues which for so many months past have occupied the attention oi the public of Great Britain have, for the moment, been submerged in the common grief of the nation at the loss of the beloved monarch in whose wisdom many hoped to find the solution of the problem with which the country is confronted. ■ But the respite is merely temporary./In a very short time—indeed the struggle lu:s almost recommenced already—the partisans of the conflicting interests will be inciting the leaders on to action. It has been suggested that a trucc should be' declared. That the interests of the nation Would be best served by a policy of inaction. The idea underlying this suggestion apparently is a well-meant desire to save the new monarch from possible embarrassment at a time when 'he will necessarily bo very fully occupied with routine and otlier duties associated with his accession to the Throne. The Unionists appear .to be under the impression that the death of King Edwaei> has changed the situation, whereas the Liberals, so far as their views are represented by the Daily News,, claim 'that the change of ruler alters nothing— that the question of the possible use of the prerogative of the Crown has never been personal. There is very little to be said in favour of the Unionist point of view and a great deal for the other side. The situation, so far as the issues involved arc concerned, practically remains unchanged, but there is a gj'oater clement of doubt introduced as to the course of action likely to be adopted by his Majesty under given, circumstances. There can be very lit'tle doubt that King George is to-day quite as familiar with the intricacies of the political situation as was the late King, his father. It is now well known that, with the wisdom and foresight which characterised him throughout his too short'reign, King Edward liad taken care that his heir should be in close touch with him, and, familiarised by daily intercourse with all matters of. State which require the attention of the .King. He has been at the right hand of the deceased monarch, he has assisted in the. performance of the routiiie duties of his Royal father and it is incredible that he is not fully acquainted with the situation which confronted King Edward, and with which lie will ere long find.himself faced. Whether the Government forces on the veto issue immediately the House resumes, or whether it is, because of the special oircumstances,' permitted to : stand over' until later in the year will probably matter little to the new King, cxcept from the point of view that delay may allow the political temperature to cool off a little. This last-named contingency is • probably what the Daily cws fears, and it is what the Unionists no ddubt hope for. The _ Government, much as it may desire to do so, will hardly care to force political issues to the forefront at the present juncture; for any step likely to embarrass the King at ~ this stage would be bitterly resented by the nation as a whole. . In the circumstances it is improbable ■ that the large political questions which have disturbed the country will be pressed forward for some time; but should they reach that acute stage, calling foV appeal to • the Grown, there can be little doubt that King George will be ready with his answer.