BRITISH POLITICS.

Nelson Evening Mail, Volume XLV, Issue XLV, 18 April 1910, Page 5

BRITISH POLITICS.

HE mi Simula*. .MR REDMOND'S CAPTURE. HIS STRATEGY PRAISED. THE LORDS' VETO AND THE COUNTRY. Preso Association.— Copyright. LONDON. Sunday. From the standpoint of tactics, the "Spectator" declares that it is compelled to take off its hat to Mr Redmond. It was no small achievement to have lassoed the Premier of the United Kingdom, bitted and bridled him; jumped on his back ,and ridden him quite tame round the parliamentary arena. The "Freeman's Journal" claims that Mr Redmond has won all along the line, and not merely preserved unbroken, but has strengthened and cemeted the Irish League. The democratic forces are now preparing for a fight to a finish with their hereditary foes.

Lord Rosebery, in a letter to "The Times," says, "The country will decide the greatest issue of our time—whether the constitution is to be wrenched out of all shape and proportion to give almost absolute power to a single chamber and a casual majority. The question involves the confidence of other countries and of our own dominions." Lord Rosebery objects to the second chamber being made subordinate and implores the Unionists to drop the tariff issue for the coming election and make it a straight-out fight. "The Times" discusses the difficulty of abandoning the policy whereon most of the victories of the last contest were won. Mr Asquith delivered his speech on Thursday, after a- private interview with Mr Redmond.

The newspapers express surprise at Mr Bin-ell's speech at Reading flatly denying the existence of a bargain or understanding with the Irish party. He added that they might vote as they liked. Mr Balfour, in reply to a correspondent, says he favours free imports of colonial wheat under fiscal reform, the (encouragement of sugar beet growing and sugar factories. The "Morning Post,-" referring to colonial wheat, disapproves of the proposal, and reiterates the argument in favour of a registration duty in the interests of home growers. MR ASQUITH DENOUNCED. SOME STRONG TERMS. (Received April 18, 11.40 a.m.) LONDON, Sunday. Mr J. E. Smith, Unionist M.P. for the Walton Division, speaking a; Liverpool, described Mr Asquith as 'in "underling of Patrick Ford's underling, Bonar Law." At Birmingham he said that Mr Asquith was the "obedient slave who licked the hand which scourged him.'

A FREE TRADE CAMPAIGN. (Received April 18, 11.40 a.m.) LONDON', Sunday. Mr Winston 'Churchill, Home Secretary, is Arranging 2500 mo-party free trade lectures for the coming year. The speakers will be Sir Eldon Gorst, Lord Avebury, Lord Brassey, Mr Cox, and Dr Macnamara. He also proposes to hold conference.? of prolessional and commercial men, and trades unions and agricultural societies are co-operating. The frettrade fighting fund is now £120,000.