BRITISH POLITICS.

Nelson Evening Mail, Volume XLIII, 18 December 1909, Page 3

BRITISH POLITICS.

(Psiss Association.— Combiohi.) THE ELECTION/CAMPAIGN. APPEAL BY MR CHAMBERLAIN.- "■-.'• LONDON, "Friday. Mr Joseph Ghamberlain, in a pre.face to Mr Galvin's booklet- "Tariff or Budget!" aays that when the Government came to the belated conclusion that the House of Lords meant business;' ,they changed their tune, and endeavoured -to conyince -themselves and others that the Lords' action was.unconstitutional ■ and-, ./unwise. ThTy sought- to fight the -election upon.V a false.issue,'adn rot upon- the policy Of tariff lefprm, which had made an evidetnimpteaison upon. the. countyr, and which- was the only policy they dreaded^ -Their supporters; would sweep away all the -constitutional usefulness of the second Chamber. They-^ap-parently intended to attempt the prac tical destruction of the House of ■lords, sh*l not its genuine -■ amend'ment. Any such proposal was not likely -to find favour with any: sensi; blemin. He believed- that the House of: Commons entirely •■ uncontrolled would be a great public . danger, arid much worse -than the House of -Lords, which being hereditary must, depend for its- whole strength and. its influence . upon its success in : interpreting the true mind of the people. VTFhe ..second 'point is whether . Cobdenism, especially as -regards the freedom ' of foreign, imports from all .taxation, '.vrtii.e heavier burdens are laid upon .our- own trade is to be considered a flnal principle. ■'.-, The new demands ol the" Budget' are' having their mutual I effect. Our people must find means of 'providing 'for fresh requirements ./.'pressing daily^mpre hardly "iipon them, and tho time has surely come for -a policy, which, would ' ■ promote trade and welfare,' instead ; of J;he Budget, policy,!- which would surrender our interests' and onr security ■ to foreign iivals. : y' It. V is better to abolish Cobdenism, and; not .the Con pull down free iinports and foreign priyilegesin! our niarket, and aiot the second chamber,, whose onl" offence' is 'giving" the- -nation ' the chance' to speak, for itself. 7 Let the v workers defend their work and stand -by the: peers, who' ihvthe present case ire. standing .by ythent If the issue of tariff; reform were' submitted by itself Shero' would be no doubt whatever of the iceply. y ';''.'