THE MANCHESTER FIGHT.

Manawatu Times, Volume LXV, Issue 394, 23 April 1908, Page 5

THE MANCHESTER FIGHT.

RIVAL LEADERS BUSY. Per Press Association—Copyright. Received April 22nd, 9.14 p m. Loudou, Yesterday. Mr Lloyd George, speaking at Manchester, predicted that old age pensions would come within twelve months. He denied that the Libeials were abandoning their programme of advanced social reform in order to win back—according to a suggestion which had been made—the confidence of the country. If they did that fcfeey would win the contempt of the country. Hβ did not believe that Manchester, after standing on the great principles of 1096, would sell them in 1908. The defeat of Mr Churchill would be a blow to Free Trade. He added that Free Trade was the Alpha, not the Omega, of the Liberal policy, which would be built thoreon aud they must be careful not to remove the foundation. Hβ emphasised t!ie need for courage to combat the monopoly of privilege aud obstructiveness of vested interests, whether in regard to the education questiW or the liquor trade.

THE FISCAL ISSUE. MR BALFOUR CONFIDENT. Received April 23, 9.51 p.m. London, Last Night. Mr Balfour, in a letter to Mr Hicks (Mr Churchill's opponent) predicted that he would win. Hβ says the fact that the President of the Board of Trade should find his own powers insufficient to defend the seat and that the new Chancellor of the Exchequer bo driven to come to his assistance is an unwilling tribute to Mr Hicks's eloquence and his party's enthusiasm which any candidate might envy. The more members of the Govepiment explain their use of political power the less likely they are to retain it. Commenting on the attitude of the Free Traders, he adds that such divisions are wasting maladies to great organisations and the evil they are doing is increased by any attempt to disgrace the vast majority of the party's resolve to deal with the fiscal question. "My hbpe for the complete unity of the Unionists is based upon the growing conviction that they will all ultimately see the fiscal system broken down at every standpoint, including Peel's and Gladstone's—then alternative proposals will have a fair hearing from the small 1 section of Unionists still dreading a change, though these may meanwhile stano%loof." He added that he was confident that Mr Hicks will begin the restoration to the Unionist principle of the great community which once was and again will be, the strength and glory of the Unionist cause.