MR BALFOUR AND LORE ROSEBERY.

Lyttelton Times, Volume CXI, Issue 13385, 12 March 1904, Page 7

MR BALFOUR AND LORE ROSEBERY.

AN INCIDENT IN THE HOUSE OF LORDS. LORD ROSEBERY’S HEATED SPEECH United Press Association—By Electric Telegraph—Copyright. (Received March 18, 12.55 a.m.) , LONDON, Ma.rch 11. In the House of Lords, the Earl of Rosi»bery, referring to the discussion in the House of Commons, on March 8, on ths question of the resignation of Ministers, asked if Mr Balfour’s use of the word “ calumny” then had reference to his (Lord Rosebery’s) comments on Lord George Hamilton’s Ealing speech. The Marquis of Lansdowne said that the second document referred to by Mr Balfour was a confidential memorandum, expressing the hope that Ministers would not dissent from hia pamphlet on free trade. Lord George Hamilton misunderstood the purport of this memorandum, which Lord Rosebery had described as a pamphlet containing an alternative po-. lioy. He added that Lord: Rosebery’s speeches practically charged Mr Balfour with being wanting in good faith, and attempting to trick his colleagues, Parliament and the country. It was not surprising that Mr Balfour should resent that with warmth., Mr Balfour had authorised him to say that he did not intend to impute to Lord Rosebery a deliberate attempt to misrepresent, but, still, he regarded the charge as calumnious* , ■ Lord Rosebery moved the adjournment of the House. He angrily declared that there was nothing in his speeches that deserved the epithet of calumny. It was no answer to say that Lord George Hamilton’s statement was inaccurate. He, himself, however, would withdraw the word “ pamphlet.” The misunderstanding was not worthy of the stigma “calumny.” He added, “ I am unable to understand how anyone, least of all the Prime Minister, car be so thiij-skinned as to resent the; state ments I made. He calls them odunv ousi You may say it is only ‘pretty Fanny’s' way, the expression of a gentleman speaking under great heat and provocation. I say h a man cannot curb his tongue better thaw that, / Pretty (Fanny ’ should hot be First Lord of the Treasury.” ! . The House listened to the speech with surprise and silence. Earl Spencer supported Lord Rosebery, inasmuch as the word “ calumny ” 'had not been withdrawn. The motion was negatived.