SPEECH BY MR ASQUITH.

Marlborough Express, Volume XLIV, Issue 3, 5 January 1910, Page 5

SPEECH BY MR ASQUITH.

LIBERALS AND DEFENCE

FREE TRADE A VITAL

NECESSITY

.(Received Jan. 4, 10.40 p.m) LONDON, Jan. 4. Mr Asquith, speaking at Haddington, after paying a graceful tribute i>& lihe late Earl Percy, emphasised Mr Balfour's silence at ;Haddingtbri towards Mr Haldane's scheme for the reconstruction of the Army. Re predicted that if the Tories were returned they would follow on Mr Hal■dane's lines. He affirmed regarding •defences that no Government had given more time and sustained thought; thereto than the Liberals. The Government "had recognised to the full the increasing risks to which Britain's naval supremacy was exposed, and did not "hesitate to call for Targe sacrifices for a substantial addition to the naval expenditure, which' was one of the principal causes of the Budget. , This additional sum was feeing better and more fruitfully expended than if it had been spent i -earlier. "Our position regarding the Navy, now and in future', years for which we as an Administration are responsible, is one of unassailable superiority." ; ,'j

Adverting to economic questions, Mr Asquith declared that free trade -was more than a benefit; it was a vital necessity. He did not pretend, that the/Liberal .policy would cure unemployment, but it could do much to mitigate it. The policy was constructive. The House of Lords rejected the Budget because it was a complete and effecttral lalteraativ'e ifco tariff reform, and by that action ■they had exceeded their well-settled constitutional function.