THE POLITICAL CRISIS.

New Zealand Herald, Volume XLVII, Issue 14299, 19 February 1910, Page 7

THE POLITICAL CRISIS.

ACUI'E STAGE REACHED. •'■'' ■ ■"'''(' / LIBERALS AND THEIR ALLIES. THE IRISH NEGOTIATIONS. LABOUR AND THE LORDS. By Telegraph.— Press Association -Copyright '(Received February 18, 10.-13 -p.m.) London, February 18. There tiro indications that the political crisis has' reached an acute stage. There have been six Cabinet meetings within a week, each of which has lasted over two hours. One held this morning was adjourned until late this afternoon, and Mr. Asquith in the interval had a further audience with the King.

Meanwhile Mr. T. P. O'Connor has been mediating between the more extreme members of the Irish party and Ministers. He interviewed the Master of Elib'ank (Parliamentary Secretary to the Treasury) twice, and next conferred with Mr. Redmond and Mr. John Dillon, and then an apparent understanding was reached.

Subsequently Mr. Barnes (chairman of the Labour party), after consulting with Mr. Keir Hardic and other prominent colleagues, authorised the following statement, embodying the Labour party's settled policy:— "Despite the Albert Hall speech Mr. Asquith holds office without assurances from the King regarding the veto, which, moreover, is to be dealt with only after the Budget. I know that course will not be acceptable to the Labour party. It implies that the powers that be think; the election was not 'sufficiently, decisive in regard to the veto. . It involves, therefore, another election before the Lords question can be settled.

"■ If an election must occur we ought to have it as soon as possible. I am aware the reply to all this is that the finances of the country must be straightened. I say the responsibility of the confusion should be put on the authors of it. Doubtless the difficulties could be overcome by loans and otherwise.' , \^ Liberals interpret Mr. * Barnes' statement as a declaration of war on the Government, Unless the question of the Lords is decisively dealt with before the. progress of any other business is- attempted.

In his speech at the Albert Hall on December 11 Mr. Asquith. said:—"We shall not assume office and we shall not hold office unless we can secure the safeguards which experience shows to be necessary for the legislative utilitv and honour of the party of progress. You will be told that the issue lies between government by two chambers and government by a single chamber. That is not the case. (' No.') I myself, and I. believe a large majority of the Liberal party, are in favour of what is called a bi-cameral '■': system. I see nothing inconsistent with "democratic practice in ; a double chamber such as , that. On the contrary, I see much practical good that might result from the existence side by side with the House of Commons of a body, not, indeed, of co-ordinate authority, but suitable by its numbers and by its composition to exercise impartially in regard to our ordinary legislation the powers of revision, amendment, and fuller" deliberation, and especially. to provide safeguards of delay. What is our second chamber? (Laughter.) It has no pretensions or qualifications to be the organ or interpreter of the popular will. (Cheers.) One party is in possession of a permanent and overwhelming majority. We are going to ask the country to give us authority to apply an effective remedy to these intolerable conditions. The absolute veto which it at present possess must go. (Loud cheers.)