BANQUET TO LORD HALSBURY

Evening Post, Volume LXXXII, Issue 24, 28 July 1911, Page 7

BANQUET TO LORD HALSBURY

THE UNIONISTS' DUTY, TO STAND FIRM TILL OUTVOTED. TRIBUTE TO PARTY LEADERS. LONDON, 27th July. The banquet tendpred to the Earl of Halsburj-, formerly Lord Chancellor, by the Unionist party took place last night, Lord Selborne presiding. Among those present were, FieldMarshal Lord Roberts, the Duke of Northumberland, Lord Plymouth, Sir liuWafd Carson (member for Dublin Uni' versity), Mr. F. E. Smith (member for vralton, Liverpool), the Duke of Marlbo^ough, Captain Pretyman (member for Chelmsford), Lord Hugh Cecil (Oxford University), Mr. G. Cave (Kingston, Surrey), Sir George Doughty (Great Grimeby), and the Duke of Westminster, xne full list has not been published. Sir. Joseph Chamberlain sent a letter expressing the wish that he could have been present, and adding that he heartily supported the object. The country owed a great debt to Lord Halsbury, since in this crisis of her fate he haft refused t* sacrifice his principles. Lord Selborne^ in his opening rehmrksi eaid the division of opinion in the party waa confined to a single issue, namely, the creation of Peers. It wae the duty of the Unionists to stand firm nntfl they were outvoted in the lobbies. Lord Halsbury. who • received an ovation, made a vehement appeal to tho Peers to resist the Veto Bill, which he declared was the most unconstitutional measure ever proposed. The last time Peers had been created for the purpose of carrying a great measure, three ot ite authors were impeached and two fled the country. Tho third was confined in the Tower for two yetirs. Lord Milner declared, "We will give up our privileges, but not our trusteeship." All the speakers paid a high tribute to Mr. Balfour and Lord Lanadowne, but insisted that the responsibility of the Peers in the present crisis was above considerations* of party. Mr. _ Austen Chamberlain had a great reception, and was greeted with cheers and cries - oi " Our future Prime Minister Il'I 1 ' SUPPORT FOR LORD LANSDOWNE. . PRESS COMING INTO LINE. LONDON, 27th July. _ Tvv-o hundred and thirty Peers hnve signified their intention of supporting Lord La.lisdowiie. Many have intimated that they are willing to vote for tho Government, if required. Mr. Balfour's letter to Lord Newton, has brought the Unionist papers into lino. The remaining dissentients ate the Daily Express, the Pall Mall Gazette, the Globe, and the Sheffield Telegraph."