IMPERIAL POLITICS

Otago Witness, Issue 3019, 24 January 1912, Page 29

IMPERIAL POLITICS

THE FOREIGN POLICY,

LONDON, January 16.

In reply to a correspondent concerning the accusations of the Liberal newspapers. Sir E. CJrey says that any statement that his policy is in any way aggressive or inspired by antagonism to any Power is totally unfounded.

January 21

E. Grey, speaking at Sunderland, reminded his Liberal critics that the foreign policy was not his, but the Government’s. A certain section of the Liberals advocated a maximum of interference in the world’s affairs with a minimum of friendship. Such a policy, he said, would leave us friendless in Europe. If we accepted the responsibility of guaranteeing the independence of countries like Persia the increase in the military burdens would be greater than we could bear. He blamed the attitude of the Belfast Unionists fur their action, not against Home Rule, but against the democracy and against free speech. He concluded by advocating Home Rule for Ireland.

MU RUNCIMAN OX RELIGIOUS EQUALITY. LONDON, January 19.

Mr Runciman (President of the Board of Agriculture), in a speech at Newcastle, said he was not sorry to quit the Board of Education, fie was impatient with his fellow-Nonconformists, who refused to recognise the sincerity of those religious convictions with which they disagreed. They would, however, have to concede the principle of religious equality.