IMPERIAL POLITICS.

Otago Daily Times, Issue 14686, 20 November 1909, Page 7

IMPERIAL POLITICS.

MR BALFOUR'S SPEECH. A GREAT EFFORT. Press Association—By Telegraph-Copyright. LONDON," November 18. In his speech at Manchester Mr Balfour went on, to say: " The only practical alternative—and I am talking about practical politics as we know them —to tariff reform is the Budget, which would be disastrous tt? every great industry. It is a combination of bad finance and muddle-headed . Socialism. " Lord Lansdowno asks the Lords to take such action as to compel the constituencies to be consulted before they commit themselves to schemes which I, at all eventr,, at heart believe to bs inimical to- the- interests of the poor. Whatever is the issue of that trial, Lord Lansdowno is abundantly right."— '(Cheers.)

Most of the- newpsapers agree that Mr Balfour .made a great speech, and comment thereon from their party standpoints. The Liberal orgaiM incidentally argue that no guarantees concerning the assurances respecting Uio cost of living aro forthcoming.

LIBERALS AND LABOUR PARTY. LONDON, November 18.

The Right lion. J. A. Pease (chief Liberal 'Whip), in the courso of an open letter, says that Liberals will, as far as possible, respect the eeals held by Labour., member.?, and urges, the Labour Repre-. mentation Oornvni it-tee to respect Liberal seats in reform. Ho. adds" that if an aggressive attitude is persisted in by the ' Labour party the latter is more likely to be the loser. CONTROL OF FINANCE. LONDON, November 18. Speaking at Hull,'Mr Runciman (Presi-, dent of the Board of 'Education) referred to the rumour that the Government might consult the Lords in regard to what taxes'' it should collect' during the interregnum, saying that the Government could have no dealings with the Lords on a question of finance. 'SPEECH BY MR HAL-DANE. ■ LONDON, November 19. (Received Nov. 19, at ID p.m.) ' Mr Haldane, addressing the-'Eighty Club, said- that. Lord Lansdowno. from. his watcMoww gives'the signal, and Mr' Balfour' trumpeted the frontal 'attack'' He added: "We accept the challenge. No quarter is asked, and none will fie given.—(Cheers.) The Cabinet -is absolutely united as regards the Budget. Let us stick to what i 3 within the four corners of that great bill 'It would be idle to. waste time and to speculate as to the result-of-the great fight. We intend 1 to ■concentrate ourselves <m : 'winnim*.'' The'. issues .'at the election will : be.' Free-: trade and the Budget." After remindinglus hearers, that Mr Balfour at SheWeJd in 1903 declared-that iir his view of public opinion as it was he could not lead a party which committed itself to taxes on food, Mr Haldane added: " I have no reason to think that public opinion in the'country now is different. • Wo shall see whether'the party has got, any further- in'that''direction." He..ex-'. pressed'.-Jiiriiself as'.hopeful of the.result, of the coming .'struggle.. ' .. ' THE NATIONALISTS' ATTITUDE. DEMAND FOR HOME RULE. LONDON, -November: 19.-• (Received Nov. 19, at 10.25 p'.m.) - Mr John Redmond, in a' speech' 'at Dublin,".declared that' if the Natpin-alis'ts'.' w.ere to .take a vigorous pa*t in the.battle against the House of Lords they must I'Viayc Mr, Asquith's official' declar.ition that Homo Rule would be one of the-issues for the electorates.