NEWSPAPER VIEWS.

Dominion, Volume 4, Issue 972, 12 November 1910, Page 5

NEWSPAPER VIEWS.

"TIMES" DEPLORESiFAILURE. ABSURD SECRECY. (Rec. November 11, 10.30 p.m.) London, November 11. "The Times" laments that the Conference has not vindicated Britain's J boasted talent for political compromise ■ for the cautious development of her in- ] stitutions. A grave constitutional issue must thus apparently be decided as 1 al mere incident in party warfare, and at an election which will be determined J by a dozen other issues. It adds that the reticence regarding the prolonged ' negotiations is absurd, and practically ' futile. < A BELLICOSE 'JOURNAL. The "Daily Telegraph" (Unionist); states that it desires no statement of the Conference proceedings. Tho Conference is dead, and the Government represents Socialistic-cum-Redmondite domination. The Radical party, as an independent force in politics, is as! dead ; as tho Conference. Let the fight conio when it will, declares the ."Telegraph," for henceforth a new temper and resolve ; will enter into tho "Unionist ranks. ( "OPEN V/AR." \ The "Daily Chronicle's" leader is 1 headed "Open War." It remarks that as the Tory leaders have. rejected the settlement which waß possible at the Conforence, it is obvious that they wilt not advise the House of Lords to accept tho Government's original policy. J

The King is not likely to consent to the extreme measures necessary to overcome tho House of Lords, but is much more likely to require in so great a crisis at the outset of his reign the guidance and support of a direct appeal to the people. Hence the procuring of an immediate election will bo the Government's duty, besides being also best tactics. The "Chronicle," however, regards an election in December as possible, though, for various reasons, improbable. HOME RULE ALL ROUND. THE LATEST SUGGESTION. CONFERENCE WITH NATION- , ALISTS. London, November 10. At a meeting at the Liberal Eighty Club, it was proposed that the Govern- J ment should be ' asked to prepare a soliemo of Homo Rulo All Round, for submission to a special conferenoo representing all sections of Nationalists. The idea is exciting atention. UNITY AND DIVISION. SPEECH BY MR. ASQUITH. NO DESIRE FOR REVOLUTION. London, Novomber 10. Speaking at tho Lord Mayor's banquet, tho Prime Minister, Mr. Asquith, in referring to the Veto Conferenoo, said ho was going • to • disap-

point those' who might' bo." expecting a statement on thei subject. But on such occasions, when every party and creed were gathered at the Guildhall, they realised how infinitely stronger were ties uniting than the controversies dividing our constitutional progress. There had been, not alteration, revolution, and reaction, but more or less even development and adjusting to the Empire's needs.

He added: "You may rely as heretofore oil the political body's trained judgment, and the inbred sagacity and integrity of the 'race."

THE CONFERENCE AND ITS WORK. A TRUCE CALLED. The, position appears to be that the Unionists agreed to the abolition, of the House of Lords veto with certain reservations. They desired particularly that there should be a referendum or a general election in the case of disagreements arising between the two Houses over any change, such as Home Rule. i? conference was suggested after tho death of King Edward, when a desire was expressed in many quarters that tho new King should not be drawn into the turmoil between the Houses of Parliament immediately on ascending the Throne. A series of letters by an anonymous corres"Pacificus," in the London "Times," sketched out a scheme for a conference, which attracted much attention.

I On April 17 an official announcement i) a J the press that a conference r ~ an ' au e£<l, and the first meeting held. From. this it appeared that the lines laid down by "Pacificus" had been followed with fidelity. The members of the conference were:—Govern-ment-~Mr. Asquith, Lord Crewe, Mr. Lloyd-George, and Mr. Birrcll. Opposition—Mr. Balfour, Lord Lansdowne, Lord CawdoT, and Mr. A. Chamberlain. The first oilicial announcement stated: "It is understood that the deliberations are entirely untrammelled by any limitation or conditions, and that the proceedings will be throughout regarded as confidential." Writing at the time, the "Daily Mail" 6 J. J *?e u °ticed that the 'high contracting parties' consist of four of the loading members of each party, and that Liberals have one Peer upon the committee, while tho Unionists have two. Inere is no chairman because there will bo no voting. No law officer, present or past, is on the committee, because the desire is for a full and free discussion of difference on broad principles, without the smallest taint of technicality, j Lach side is to express itself in'the frankest and most confidential manner."