THE BUDGET CRISIS.

Lyttelton Times, Volume CXX, Issue 15180, 18 December 1909, Page 9

THE BUDGET CRISIS.

WILD PREDICTIONS. United Press Association—By Electric Telegraph—Copyright. LONDON, December 10. Uord Willoiighby de Broke, in a speech at Farnworth, said the policy outlined by Mr Lloyd George and Mr Winston Churchill would not fin empty stomachs, but would mean Ireland for the cattledrivers, atheism for school children, £SOO per year for paid officials, water for tho working man, and the Empire for the foreigner. MR BLATCHFORD'S SCARE ARTICLES. LONDON, December 16. Lord Denman, speaking at Saxmnndham, said Mr R. Bktchford's scare articles wore red herrings to save the Lords' feelings. MISS MARIE CORELLI ON SOCIALISM. LONDON, December 16. Miss Marie Corelli, tho novelist, has issued an address denouncing Socialism. "TARIFF OR BUDGET."' MR CHAMBERLAIN'S DECLARATION. (Received December 17, 9.40 p.m.) LONDON, December 17. Mr Joseph Chamberlain, in a preface to Mr Galvin's booklet " Tariff or Budget " says:—"When the Government came to the belated conclusion that the House of Lords meant business thoy changed their tuno and endeavoured to convince themselves and others that the Lords' action was unconstitutional and unwise. They sought to fight the election on a false issue, and not upon the policy of tariff reform, which has made an evident impression on the country, and which is tho only policy they dread. Their supporters would sweep away all the constitutional usefulness of the second Chamber. Apparently they intend to attempt the practical destruction of the House of Lords, and not its genuine amendment. Any such proposals are unlikely to find favour with any sensible man. I believe that the House of Commons entirely uncontrolled would be a great public danger, and much worse than the House of Lords, which, being hereditary, must depend for its whole strength and influence upon its success in interpreting the true mind of tho people. The second point is whether Cobdonism, especially as regards freedom of foreign imports from all taxation, while heavier burdens are laid upon our own trade, is to be considered a final principle. The now demands of the Budget are having their national effect. Our people must find moans of providing for fresh requirements pressing daily more hardly upon them. Tho time will surely come for a tariff policy which will promote British trade and wolfare, instead of tho Budget policy, which would surrender our interests and our security to foreign rivals. It is better to abolish Cobdenism and not tho Constitution, pull down free imports and foreign privileges in our market, and not the second Chamber, whoso only offence is giving tie nation a chance to speak for itself. Let the workers defend their work and stand by the Peers, who in the present case are standing by them. If the issue of tariff reform were submitted by itself there would be no doubt whatever of the reply."