BRITISH POLITICS.

New Zealand Times, Volume LXXII, Issue 4606, 10 March 1902, Page 5

BRITISH POLITICS.

LIBERALS AND THEIR LEADERS. LONDON, March 7. Sir Henry Campbell - Banuerraaii’s speech on Wednesday has stiffened the Roseberyitcs in their determination to pursue an independent policy on the lines of the Chesterfield manifesto and Mr Asquith’s subsequent speech. _Many Liberals adopt a non-committal attitude. Lord, Rosebery’s following in tho Commons is small, and ho must rely on the constituencies. Sir Howard Vincent, Conservative member for Central Sheffield, has given notice of motion in tho House of Commons that any treaty restricting the right of the Motherland to conclude preferential relations with tho colonies bo not ratified. Owing to the necessity of dealing with tho Procedure Bill and Supply, and the coronation festivities, tho Government is likely to hold over the Education Bill and other promised measures. “The Times” states that Earl Cadogan, Lord-Lieutenant of Ireland, will attend a meeting of tho Cabinet to-day. Ho will probably insist on stronger measures to repress the lawless coercion of tho United Irish League. THE COLONIES AND THE WAR. (Received March 9. 4.32 p.m.) LONDON, March 8. During the debate in the House of Commons on tho army estimates, Mr Brodrick, Secretary for War, said that after the crisis had passed in South Africa it would probably be necessary to retain fifteen thousand regular troops in the country. Mr Edmund Robertson, K.C., Liberal member for Dundee, commenting on tho published statements that the colonies wished that the war should bo fought to the hitter ond, said ho hoped the Government w'ould not follow' Mr Chamberlain’s example and grovel at the feet of tho colonies. Would tho colonies, asked Mr Robertson, bear one-fifth of the cost of the war? Mr Brodrick said he disdained to reply, but he was confident Mr Chamberlain would not meet the Premiers of the colonies in any such spirit. They could never forgot the exceptional services the colonies had rendered without pressure or invitation.