EVE OF THE BATTLE.

Dominion, Volume 4, Issue 989, 2 December 1910, Page 5

EVE OF THE BATTLE.

' STRENUOUS CAMPAIGNING. LORD ROSEBERY ON PEERS AND PRIVILEGES. A DEATH-BED REPENTANCE. By Telegraph—Press Afsociation-OopyriEht. (Bee. December 2, 0.25 a.m.). London, December 1. Lord Rosebory, speaking at Manchester, said he was alarmed at Hie encroachment made- on personal liberty under tho present Government by means of a 'bureaucratic inquisition. . His Lordship emphasised the danger to the State from Irish dictation, subsidised by foreign gold, and asked whether there was a greater danger than tho Single Chamber proposal. If the TJnited States, instead of Britain, was invaded by a foreign emissary, a tar barrel and feathers would be the last penalty inflicted on him. If subsidies of English gold were sent to tho United States, tko political cause in question would bo irretrievably damned. ' Mr. Balfour's declaration, continued Lord Rosebery, had cleared the air, and gave a clear issue between tho. abolition of tho House of Lords and the establishment of a salaried House of Commons. The Peers had surrendered their hereditary position because tho nation had refused them its support, but a death-bed repentance, if sincere and valid, was valuable. Humbler persons than Peers did not surrender their privileges, CLEAR ISSUE WANTED. AN END OP OBSTRUCTION, ; • (Rec. December 1, 11.20 p.m.) : London, December I. Mr. Asquith's manifesto to Scotland declines that the tardy and wholly delusive proposals for the reform of tho House of Lords and the panic-strickea avoidance of the burden of Tariff Reform on the part of the Unionist leaders must not be allowed to obscure the paramount issue, which is to bring to an end the obstruction of the House of lords. MR. -LLOYD-GEORGE. A CAMPAIGN IN WALES. London, November-30. . Mr. Lloyd-Georgo, Chancellor of tlie Exchequer, is busy campaigning in Wales: ■Ho attended- two meetings at Cardiff, and. addressed five thousand persons at each. POOR AT ' MERCY OF WEALTHY. (Rec. December 1, 11.20 p.m.) London, December 1. Mr. Lloyd-George, . Chuncellor of the Exchequer, at' Llandrindod, said it was impossible for the workmen of tho nation to find tho million and a half which ?, referendum would cost, in addition to public expenses. The people would thus be left at the mercy of tho rich. . Tho referendum was a dodge to put the poor man at the mercy of the great. DANGEROUS AND DELUSIVE. MR. BIRRELL ON THE REFEREN- . ' . . - BUM. (Rec. December 1, IL2O p.m.) London, December 1, Mr. Birrell, Secretary for Ireland, speaking at Bristol, declared that.the proposed, referendum was a - delusive and dangerous proposal, calculated to destroy, free representative government, wheroby business men were elected to convert . great principles into practical legislation. CAPTURED BY SOCIALISTS. i MINORITY OP WRECKERS. . London, December 1. . Lord ioioey, in a letter to tho electors of Newcastle, says tho Socialists have captured, tho Cabinet, as they captured the trade unions, though they are in a minority in both. Instead of promoting reforms such as those of Gladstone, Bright, and Cobden, they are mere wreckers. . ' ' ' MR. BALFOUR'S SPEECH. PRESS COMMENT. , London* November 30. "The Times" , says that his political opponents thought Mr. Balfour lacked courago to submit tho question ef Tariff Reform to the; judgment of tho country. Tho Unionist Loader, eays the leading journal, never received a moro enthusiasth or unanimous proof that he had the whole andience with . him. .Tho "Daily Mail" applauds Mr. Balfour's declaration, which proves that the Unionists trust the people, and enables Free-traders to_ vote against the Government. . ■ ' ■ . ■ Tho "Daily Express" says Mr. Balfoui rallied and inspired all the forces ol Unionism. Tho "Daily Chronicle" declares that il tho referendum does not involve a change of Government, then good-byo to the wholo system of party government. The "Daily News" considers that the cancellation of. Parliament's commissior by repeated referenda would bo tho an tithesis of ropresentativo government. ; • The "Morning Post" expresses itseli doubtful about tho wisdom of Mr. Bal four's hnsty pledge in regard to tho re ferendum. Snch a change, it declares, would have far-reaching consequences Hitherto a general election h'ad permit ted (i Government to carry its policy, bu , it was now suggested that an additiona mandate should be required. Tho "Daily Telegraph" declares tha Mr. Balfour has struck dismay into th< Coalition. Tariff Reform cannot' rest oi anything except the undoubted appfova of a settled majority of the nation. Mr. BonaT Law (Camberwell) and Mr George Wyndham (Dover), -in , their elec tion speeches, applauded Mr. Balfour' declaration. . LORD CROMER GEATEFUL. . (Rec. December 2, 0.25 a.m.) .' London, December 1. Lord Cromer, in a letter to Free traders, says he trusts that Mr. Balfour' welcome, declaration will Temovo all hesi tation in supporting the Opposition. FBEETRADE RELIEF. (Rec. December 1, 11.20 p.m.) London, December 1. Mr. Harold Cox, Unionist Frce-tradei in, the course of a letter, says Mr. Bal four's declaration hns dispelled , ever, legitimate anxiety, nnd Free-traders ca .now whole-heartedly work for a reforr of tho Constitution which will safeguar tho • liberties of Englishmen against th tyranny of a chance majority of th Houso of Commons, ' • ■ ; MONET MARKET IMPROVES. (Rec. December 2, 0.25 a.m.) London, December 1. The riso reported in consols is duo f Hi, BfJiom'fl dwkinJtoi yesterday.