IMPERIAL POLITICS.

Otago Daily Times, Issue 14701, 8 December 1909, Page 5

IMPERIAL POLITICS.

THE BUDGET BATTLE. SPEECH BY MR CHURCHILL. Pieaa Association-'By Telegraph—Copyright LOXDON", December 7. (Received Dec. 7, at 9.45 pm.) In the course of a speech at SoulhpoTt Mr Churchill said ho thought it to right that early in tho fight they should differentiate between hereditary monarchy and hereditary Beers. The Sovereign reigned, but did not govern, his powers being exercised on tho advice of his Ministers. The monarch had no interests divergent from those of the people. The speaker laid stress on the fact that Ilia Transvaal and Orange River Colony had been given great Constitutions by letters patent under the Crown without submitting them to the House of Lords. Had they been so submitted thoy would have betn mutilated and mauled under tho influence of such an evil counsellor as Lord Milner. Tlio whole movement of tho world was against the Lords' greedy intrusion in legislation. Mr Churchill asked: "Why should 600 titled persons govern us and their children govern ours for ever? " If imroformed the partisan House of Lords would be continued, and then the reign of two great parties would he closed for ever, and brute force- and class hatred instead of forbearance and public spirit would beenmo characteristic of British political life. SPEECH BY COLONEL SEELY. LONDUX, December 7. (Received Dec. 7, at 10.10 p.m.) In a speech at Liverpool Colonel Seely said that if ilia Liber„.j WC rc returned to power they would make financial chaos impossible in the future by establishing a Constitution- firmly and in writing. PEERS CnAKOEI) WITH DISLOYALTY. LOXDOX, December 6. Lord Lyvedeh, speaking at Boston, said that the Peers prided themselves on their loyalty, yet th?y took out of the King's hands tho right, to dissolve Parliament, and thus played the part of rebels against the Crown and Constitution. THE NEW TAXES. LONDON, December 6. The Daily News aswrts that, despite tho official arrangement, tobacco and spirits are being cleared without paymsnt of the increased duty. Though the tea merchants generally are abiding by the association's decision, some are arranging for the wholesale clearance, duty free, of tea.

The Treasury has given notice that it is prepared to accept either the old or new death duties on (ho understanding that the rate is to he rectified after, the election. The Chairman of the Board of Customs denies tint, there is any chaos in the bulk of eJcMances owing to the higher rates imposed by the Budget. He adds that the tea trade has decided to continue as if nothing had happened. A MEMBER- DEAD. LONDON, December 6. Mr F. T. Cobhold, the Liberal member for Ipswich, is dead. A CORRECTION. LONDON, Dcember 6. (Received Dec. 7, at 11.55 p.m.) It was Mr Askwith, Assistant Secretary of the Hoard of Trade, who represented Mr Churchill at tho West of Scotland Steel Institute, im \ not tho Eight Hon. Mr Asquith.