BRITISH POLITICS

New Zealand Mail, Issue 1618, 4 March 1903, Page 21

BRITISH POLITICS

LONDON, February 26. Mr Redmond moved an amendment to the Address, appealing to the Government to seize tho unexampled opportunity of settling the Irish land difficulty on the lines of the Dublin Conference. Ho warned Mr Wyndham (Chief Secretary for Ireland) that the State would bo expected to make a free grant of the difference between tho sums tenants were willing to pay and what the landlords would accept. Mr John Morley (who was twice Irish. Secretary in Liberal Administrations) estimated that a free grant of twentyfcwo millions, and a loan of a hundred millions, would be required to carry out tho scheme of the Conference, but possible economies of administration would largely recoup the expenditure. A free grant, ho believed, would not cost, the Stato more than fifty thousand a year. Even if the land question were settled, however, the question of Horne Rule would remain.

Mr Wyndham declined any prematuro pronouncement, but referred sympathetically to tho Conference as encouraging a hope that Ireland’s despondency Avould be removed. Mr W. O’Brien, Nationalist member for Cork, said the adoption of a compromise would remove the last obstacle to Home Rule by creating a united Ireland.

The amendment was withdrawn.

Lord Rosebery, addressing a Liberal League meeting at Glasgow, said the Government’s Imperialism meant bloated armaments and bloated expenditure* Tho country, he declared, needed a saner and cheaper and less provocative Imperialism. Fie accused the Government of indifference to all social qestions.

The Duke of Devonshire, addressing the Liberal Unionist Association at Westminster, remarked, while eulogising Lord Salisbury, that it was easier for Mr Balfour to regard many questions more from a Unionist than from a Conservative standpoint. The relations of the two sections of the party were now more intimate, since Mr Chamberlain occupied a position in the Government and in Parliament scarcely second to Mr Balfour.

Referring to last session’s Education Bill, the Duke admitted that if a general election had been held iat that} time the Government Avould probably hare been severely defeated. He spoke hopefully of a solution of the Irish land question, and said it Avas still possible that Home Rrale Arould be revived. LONDON, February 27.

Mr Buchanan, a Liberal, has been elected unopposed for the East Perthshire seat in the House of Commons, rendered vacant by tho resignation of Sir John G. S. Kinloch (Liberal).