UNCONTROLLED HOUSE OF COMMONS.

Marlborough Express, Volume XLIII, Issue 298, 18 December 1909, Page 5

UNCONTROLLED HOUSE OF COMMONS.

MR CHAMBERLAIN'S OPINION,

WORKERS URGED TO DEFEND THEIR WORK.

EußßfiS ASSOCIATION.] (Received Dec. 17, 9.30 p..m.) LONDON, Dec-17

Mr Joseph -Chamberlain, in .a preface to -Mr -Galvin's booklet "Tariff ,or the Budget?" says.: "When the Government came to the belated conclusion that the House of Lords meant business they . changed their iurie, and endeavoured to convince .themselves.and^otihers that the .action ,of the House of Lords was unconstitutional and unwise. They sought :to fight the election on a false is&ue, and not mpon the policy of tariff reform, which has made an evident impression on the country, and which ,is the < only ;policy .they ■ dnead. Their supporters would sweep away all the constitutional usefulness of the sec.ond Chamber. They apparently intend to attempt the .practical destruction of the House of Lords, and not ■ its genuine n amendment. Any such (proposals ar.e unlikely to find favour with any sensible man. I believe ithat a House of Commons entirely uncontrolled would be a great public t danger, sand imuch. worse tfihaai itihe House of Lords which, being hereditary, must depend upon its wholo strength, and its influence upon its -success in interpreting the true mind •of the people. "The second point is whether Cobderiism,. especially as regards freedom of foreign imports ;from all taxation While heavier burdens are laid upon our wn trade, is to be considered the 'nnalprinciple. The new demands of the Budget are 'having the -natural Our people mast .find means of providing ;for £he 6ret& requirements pressing 'daily more handly itopon them. The time has surely •come for a%%i?iff polidy^which will British trade .welfare instead of v^ 'Budget > p^icy^wJ^h ' would • surrender j our 'iriteresxs and our sftflUfity iSo foreign rivals. It would lbe 'better :t<) Abolish Cobderiism and hjtfr the i Constitution, to fpull 'down rf ice imports -and foreign -pri^il^ge in ; our markets 'ajid not the. second CjChaniber, whose only offence is givii,^ the nation a chance to speark '.far iitself. .ILet ;the ; worker-s -xlefend their wolrk and stand by the Peers, ■ who-'in-'the present case are standing by them. 'If the tissue of tariff rei form were siibmitted nby itself, *t,hem .Ivoulfl be no rdoiibt whatever of the reply."' Unionist newspapers emphasise 'the clearness arid vigour df "Mr sChamber'lain^s manifesto.