BRITISH POLITICS.

Rangitikei Advocate and Manawatu Argus, Volume XXXIV, Issue 9653, 5 January 1910, Page 5

BRITISH POLITICS.

United Press Association—;By 00 ' trie Telegraph —Copyright. London, Janaary 4.

Mr Arthur Chamberlain, who is chairman of the Kynooh Company, in a letter, strongly defends tne land clauses and social features of the Budget and free trade. Ho declares that the rest of the world is the dumping ground for British manufactures. Mr Churchill, in a letter to Mr Hamar Greenwood, M. 8., says tna e-en if the Tories, as they anticipated. gained 100 seats, tho balance of power would be in the harms of the Irish Nationalists. His view is that a genercao settlement with Irelaud would promote the solidarity of the Empire.

SPEECH BY MR ASQUITH,

Mr Asquith., speaking at Handington, after paying a graceful tribute to Lord Percy, whose from pleurisy took place at Paris the other day, emphasised Mr Balfour’s silence at Haddington towards Mr Haldane’s reconstruction of the Army. Ho predicted that if the Tories were returned they would follow cn Mr Haldane’s lines. He affirmed, regarding the defences, that no Government had given more time or sustained thought thereto than the Liberals. The Government had recognised to the mil tho increasing risks whereto Britain’s naval supremacy was exposed, and did not hesitate to call for large sacrifices and for a substantial addition to naval expenditure, which was one of the principal causes of the Budget. This additional sura was being bettor and more fruitfully expended than if it h?.d bean spent earlier. He added: “Our position with regard to the navy now and in future years, wherofor we as an administration are responsible, is one of unassailable superiority.” Adverting to economic questions he deolaredfithat Free Trade was more than a benefit: it was a vital necessity. He did not pretend that the Liberal policy would cure unemployment, but it could do much to mitigate it. The policy was constructive. The Lords rejected the Budget because it was a complete and effectual alternative So tariff reform, and by that action they had exceeded their well .settled constitutional functions,

SIR E, GREY ON THE NAVY

Sir Edward Grey, speaking a 6 Chester, said “We have kept the navy op to the mark by bujldiug many ships, because abroad,

especially in Germany, so many new ships are being built. It is quite true that there is competition in naval shipbuilding, bat untrue that v?e hare fallen behind. I do not like this increase in the naval expenditure. It moss be a burden on the resources of any country, but a navy is essential to our safety. We cannot afford to let other countries get op to us. We have been keeping ahead of them, and if need be, much

as I .may regret it, we must increase the expenditure on armaments, which ia already so enormous here and in other countries. It is essential that we should be on the safe side with regard to the navy.”

TAXING LEATHER

Mr Churchill, in a letter, declared that the ten per cant, duty on imported leather, which tne Tariflites promised in order to win the Bermondsey seat, meant an auditions! burden upon Leicester booii_mst«nlactmers of £300.000 a year, equivalent to about 133 a week on the wages of the ordinary operative. While the industry will thus be greatly injured through a protective duty designed to raise the price of material, it stands to gain nothing from protection itself. THE HOUSE OF LORDS.

The Times, discussing the future of the Lords, says that Mr Asquith has definitely disclaimed “ending ” the House of Lords, and the party has sufficiently indicated its objection to “mending” the House of Lords, which [means altering and improving its composition. There remains “bending,” which means curtailing une powers of the House, while leaving its composition alone. This alternativß.'which jurists consider the worst is chosen by Government.

POSSIBLY TAXING THE

FOREIGNER

Lord Rayleigh, brother-in-law of Mr Balfour, speaking at Witham, favoured making, foreigners contribute to the National expenditure. There might, he said, be some doubt regarding who would pay export or import duties, but there was xio dispute regarding who would receive them. Ho therefore strongly supported tariff reform. LABOUR AND POLITICS. Of 2SO members of Stafford branch cf the Amalgamated Society of Engineers cn’.v 28 participated in the ballot regarding membership levy qf a shilling for the Parliamentary propaganda. ! !ii:cv; bsiog in favour and 25 against. Received January 5, 8 S a m. Louden, January 4. Lord Claud Hamilton will stand as

Conservative candidate for South Kensington. Peers will address 115 meetings this week, Mr John Burns, speaking at Battersea, favoured adult suffrage and declared that if it is not embodied in this election the ladies themselves were blamable.

THE FATE OF THE LORDS

Received January's, 10 s.m

London. January 4

Sir William Anson Lord .Rosebery’s request for information respecting tho future of the House of Lords.

Several politicians and newspapers are \ urging Messrs Asquith and Balfour to give similar information. Sir H. Norman, M.P., has been appointed assistant PostmasterGeneral. The office was created under the Act of 190!).