BRITISH POLITICS.

New Zealand Herald, Volume XLIII, Issue 13235, 21 July 1906, Page 5 (Supplement)

BRITISH POLITICS.

[t'KOM OUR OWN COBaBSPOKDKNT.] j " . London, June 9. ! Loicnox Citt is about to -en joy.. the excite>i.';ment of a third Parliamentary election in, ' the course of less than half-a-year. First, Sir Edward: Clarke': and Mr. Alban Gibbs were returned by unprecedented majorities. Then Mr. Gibbs was virtually forced to resign in favour of Mr." Balfour, the rejected of Manchester, who in due course was chosen in his place. And now a third election is about to be held. It will be remembered that Sir Edward Clarke, speaking at a Conservative meeting early in March, : alluded to the question ,of tariff reform in such terms as to draw from Sir Joseph Lawrence a letter complaining that he was enable to identify ; Sir Edward's views expressed at Holborn with those publicly expressed by him both at the beginning and during the course of the election; ' To this Sir Edward retorted that the best answer ho could give to the criticism would be found in the speech ho intended to make in the House of Commons on Sir James Kit«oh's motion, recording the "determination of 4 the House to resist any proposal, whether by . way of taxa> tion upon foreign com, or of the creation of a»general tariff upon foreign goods, to create in this country a system of protection." Sir Edward Clarke made that speech, and in the course of it described the policy advocated by Mr. Chamberlain as that member's "unauthorised programme,'' which never became the official policy of the party, and ho added " nor. is it s now." 1 Further, he asserted that what turned the defeat of the late Government at the polls " into an absolute and irretrievable s disaster" was the exPrime Minister's "lamentable advocacy ,| of a tax on food." The debate was cut short by the Prime Minister moving the previous question. Sir Edward voted against this, but took no part in the subsequent division on Sir James Kiteon's motion. ;> This action of : Sir Edward led to a storm of protest on the part of city Conservatives who had supported his candidature, and Sir Edward was told plainly , by: his prominent supporters . that his conduct was unsatisfactory. He was called upon ;to give an explanation, and asked to meet the executive of the City Conservative Association for that purpose. ■/." Illness intervened, and the meeting was postponed until Sir Edward's return- from abroad. But the explanations he had given by letter were regarded 'as unsatisfactory, ! and the association unanimously passed a resolution declaring that Sir Edward had forfeited the confidence of the Unionist electors of the city. .; A sub-committee was appointed to arrange : for a meeting of the general body, and Sir Edward was asked to attend. V The, meeting was arranged to take place next Tuesday, but last night considerable surprise was created by the announces ment, made officially, < that Sir Edward! Clarke had resigned his seat for the City of London on the ground 'of ill-health. i ;-;'

' Nothing has as yet been definitely settled with regard to. the selection of a candidate to contest the 'seat in the Conservative : interest, but it is believed that more than one name will be submitted to the executive of the. City Conservative Association at their meeting to be held at an early date. There is a general feeling, however, that the seat might at least .be offered to Mr. Alba.it Gibbs, who resigned his seat : as a representative of the city in favour of ,Mr. Balfour. The name;: of Sir -Frederick Banbury ; has also been mentioned in r connection with the vacancy. It is expected that the Liberals will contest the seat. , .

Sir Edward's resignation and the reason for it are contained in . the- ' following communication addressed by him "To the liverymen and other electors of the City of London." In the course of : this letter he said: "Nothing could have induced mo'to take this course, ■: in present circumstances, but the fact that I am advised by the. best medical authorities that I can. only continue my political career at the risk of an early and serious failure of mental or physical health. , I\do > not think that, either the gratification of personal ambition, or the uncertain hope of doing public service, • entitle me to disregard such a warning, .and! have, therefore,; come to the reluctant but definite determination to retire altogether.from the arena of politics."- ' . Most ,people think Sir Edward Clarke's reference to his "mental" health has a sinister suggestiveness, especially when coupled with the' admittedly curious character of his actions of late: . It is to be hoped that what appears to be implied may\ yet be averted, but in any case Sir Edward Clarke's" great powers are permanently lost to English politics.'- Mr. Alban Gibbs* who, after representing the city so long and capably, was virtually " kicked out" to make room for Mr.. Balfour, is also permanently lost to political life—-at any rate, so far as the House of. Commons is concerned,' according to his latest intimation. It would seem that he lias no special personal relish for being "booted" out of a seat in order to make room for a candidate rejected. by a provincial town. It is very strange that he should feel like that! . .