BRITISH LIBERALS.

New Zealand Times, Volume LXXI, Issue 4405, 11 July 1901, Page 5

BRITISH LIBERALS.

"position of the party. LONDON, July 10. A hundred and sixty -Liberals attended a meeting called to discuss the position of the party. Amongst those present were Sir William Harcourt, Sir Henry Campbell-Bannerman and Sir Henry H. Fowler. The Liberal Imperialists, the Hon. H. H. Asquith and Sir Edward Grey, while highly complimentary to Sir H. CampbellBannerman, claimed their right to adhere to an honest difference of opinion, on specific questions. A vote of confidence in Sir H. Camp. bell-Bannerman was passed unanimously. NEWSPAPER COMMENTS.(Received July 11, 0.10 a.ra.) LONDON, July 10. “The Times,” commenting on the Liberal meeting, says : —The opinion in the Parliamentary lobbies is that the result of the meeting is a distinct strengthening of Mr Asquith’s position. The semblance of unity and the sacrifice made to ensure the indispensable co-operation of the Liberal Imperialists is equivalent to a confession that in the event of Sir Henry Campbell-Bannerman’s retirement Mr Asquith will be his successor. CHARGES OF PERSONAL FEELING. (Received July 11, 1.4 a.m.) LONDON, July 10. At the meeting of the Liberal party Sir H. Campbell-Bannerman minimised the divergences of opinion and strongly blamed a certain personal antagonism as paralysing sections of the party." Fourfifths of the cen.tr© party were with him in favour of a victorious prosecution of tho war simultaneously with the announcement of reasonable general terms. He admitted it was impossible to grant terms placing the Boers in a better position than at the outset of tho war. The Hon H. H. Asquith denied any share in a cabal against the Liberal leader, and vindicated his right to frankly express, and freely act on, his convictions with regard to the war, without imputation of disloyalty. To ignore honest differences by resorting to ambitious formulae was either affectation or political dishonesty.