THE COMING ELECTION.

New Zealand Herald, Volume XLVI, Issue 14218, 15 November 1909, Page 5

THE COMING ELECTION.

PR C EOF NATIONALIST VOTE.

HOME RULE FOR IRELAND. . A LIBERAL IN REVOLT. / ______ ' ■ . AFRAID OF SOCIALISM. :- By Telß_T»ph:—Press ___6oiation.- L -_opyri_-t. (Received November 14, 5.5 p.m.) • ; London, November 13. The Spectator* -V forecasting the results qf the coming election, is inclined to • predict > a small majority either way, but suggests that the majority will possibly be on the side of the Unionists. • c ?r

Mr. John Redmond, leader of the Nationalist party in the House of Commons, insists on a definite pledge from Mr. Asquith before the election that Home Rule will be granted, otherwise the Nationalist vote in Great Britain and Ireland will be against the Liberals. The attitude towards the Government of Sir Robert W. Perks, Liberal member for the South Division of Lincolnshire, ■ who abstained from voting on the Budget and condemned the Government's experiments in socialism, is strongly resented by the party press. •', • Sir Robert Perks has vigorously replied, alleging I that Mr. v LlOydGeorge and Mr. Winston Churchill would - willingly, buy the support of the Nationalists and the Labour members with Home Rule and further communistic measures. The result of this would be chaos. He was opposed 'to tacking the land clauses of a Valuation Bill to the Budget. ' ■ . :/ v' '•-, ..- ' Lord Brassey, in a letter to ; the Battle (Sussex) Liberal Association, says he remains constant to " the Liberal party. He says he does not regard the proposals of the Budget as socialistic, and adds that alarm has been ". created by speeches of an unusual character published' in the Daily Mail. :' "'".*'" s " ,' "* ' - The question of the moment (says our London correspondent," writing on October 8) is whether there is a political crisis \or not. Until Mr. Asquith went to Balmoral to ;an audience with the King it was quite apparent there was a political crisis. i Apart altogether the Budget, the Lords had played havoc with several of the Government policy measures *in such a manner that it appeared more''likely- than /ever"they would not allow the financial proposals; to pass. =; A week ago both parties weragird?. ing their loins ip the certain anticipation of a general election within the next month or two. The Conservative leaders still maintained their reticence. It is an open secret that they do not greatly desire the, overthrow of the Budget, for. two very, substantial - reasons. On the one hand, they believe the best way to justfSj7 their • opposition will be to let the Government's proposals become law; while on - the '■■ '<* other they ; realise that it would be difficult, i if once the Budget were 'defeated, to go-to the country except on. the issue of ~ the veto of the Lords."- This would place them in an unfavourable and, on the whole, a false position. At any rate, it is not the ground I ! that wise leaders would choose. Hence the reluctance of ' Mr. Balfour '• and £ Lord Lansdowne to•" commit-their party/* to a definite ; course. There is * rather more than mere coincidence in. the .succession of political audiences which the King has been hold- : ing at Balmoral.& In spite of the attempts I to - away, the /.visits -of ;-Mr.« Asquith. and others, the belief is general that -His • Majesty is anxious to avoid a: conflict between the Lords and the Commons. . The only hint as to the actual negotiations was thrown out by the Liverpool Post, ; which is responsible for the statement that the King suggests -that the Lords should -pass '.the j Budget on condition that there ris a general election , in January. " Even as a compromise, it does not seem at all likelv to-find favour with either party. The Liberals repudiate it indignantly. -' The v Conservatives have 6aid less, but, disliking socialism in any form, .they do not relish - the suggestion. ;'