British Politics.

Manawatu Times, Volume XXVI, Issue 7247, 22 July 1901, Page 2

British Politics.

SPEECH BY LORD ROSEBERY,

(Press Association.—Copyright.) London, "July -19. Lord Eosebery, in the course of a speech at the City Liberal Club, described Mr Lobouchere's recent meeting at the Queen's Hall as a " Lunatic Reform Club." , The proceedings were, he said, a piece of organised hypocrisy.

His Lordship, continuing, justified his recent letter to the club, and declared that the schism of the Liberal party was traceable far less to Irish than to Imperial questions— it dated frcrn the murder of General Gordon.

Could any party, he asked, aspiring to obtain the confidence of the party maintain «an open mind on a question which stabbed at the very heart of the Empire ?

If sound on questions concerning the Empire, asserted Lord Rosebery, Liberals would be able to proceed with domestic reform "for which the country was ripe. He hoped for for such a party of reform—one freed from entangling alliances, purged of all anti-national elements, and comprising some of the unionists.

■ Meanwhile, owing to divisions, he still preferred to plough the furrow alone, but before he reached its end he possibly would not be alone.

Both the letter and the speech have caused a tremendous sensation. Many Liberals believe that Lord Rosebery contemplates establishing a democratic Imperial party.

The banquet tendered to the Hon H. H. Asquith was held last ■ night. The guest of the evening made a comparatively tame speech, beiDg still under the influence of a possible compromise. His remarks were chiefly restricted to generalisations. He declared that Imperialists were easily able to hold their own i .side or outside the Liberal party, which recognised that the Empire was worth living and dying for.