LORD CURZON.

Otago Witness, Issue 2808, 8 January 1908, Page 29

LORD CURZON.

SEEKS A SEAT IN THE HOUSE OP

LOBDS.

" LONDON, December 30. With the ' Marquis of Aber corn's and iMarquis of Londonderry's warm support, Lord Curzon/ in a letter to the Irish peers, agrees- to stand for the vacancy "due to Lord Kilmaine's death. Lord Curzon explains that the strain, of his work in India prevents his seeking a seat in the House of Commons. He adds that he is debarred from entering the House of Lords by the ordinary channele by ' Sir H. CampbeuBannerman's refusal to allow him to sit with all" the other ex- Viceroys of India on those benches. .

The Daily News says that the letter is amazing. - If Lord Curzon had not asked for an English peerage he had no grievance, and if he had asked for one he would have done "well to keep his grievance to himself.

•The Times considers that Lord Curzon's claims to a seat in the House of Lords ore too clear to need argument. When he accepted the Vice-royalty- his ambition was to return to the House of Commons, and in view of that intention if an Irish peerage had "been conferred instead of, as originally intended, a peerage of the United Kingdom, it would have been a graceful and becoming act on the part of Sir H. Campbsll-Bannerman to accede. Natural and reasonable representations have been advanced in favour of allowing Lord Curzon .to sit in the House of Lords, end The Times trusts that the Irish peers will, restore- to public life a man of eminence whom Sir H. Campbell-Banner-man shuts out. - )

The .newspapers show that' ex- Viceroys, as such, are never called to the House of Lords.

The -Daily. Chronicle suggests that, as a Freetrader, Lord Curzon, on account of the forlorn state of the Tory " party in the House of Commons, hesitated to throw in his political fortunes with Mr Balfour.

The Tribune (M.) says that perhaps only the Conservative", wire-pullers, knowing the strength of the tariff reform confederacy, can supply the reason for. LoTd Curzon'fi candidature. There are possibly tactical - considerations which, from the standpoint -of the Conservative headmasters, have-made Lord Curzon not welcome 7 to the Conservative party in the House of Gommons. . ''