BRITISH POLITICS.

Rangitikei Advocate and Manawatu Argus, Volume XXXVII, Issue 10528, 16 December 1912, Page 5

BRITISH POLITICS.

United Press Association. —By Electric Telegraph. —Copyright.

London, December 14. Addressing the Nineteen Hundred Club, Lord Lansdowno said the only legislation that had any chance of success was that introduced for securing votes. This had led to extravagance, which would soon make the normal expenditure two hundred millions. A little care would make the Irish pensions less comprehensive and less costly. When national insurance was dangled before the country it was promised that it would" not cost the country a farthing, Next year’s cost would be seven millions, while_ another millions would be required to secure the doctors’ co-operation. _ The Chancellor, once the Cabinet’s financial conscience, bad become the prodigal son of the family. Mr Simon Leyton, criticising Lord Landowuo’s Albert Hall speech, asked whether Tariff Reformers intended to tax Colonial articles of food. Sir E. Carson had declared yes, and Mr Bonar Law had more than once asserted that Colonials would be better treated than foreigners. Everybody was thrilled by the Dominions’ contribution to the Navy. "Was it the Unionists’ policy to tax Colonial produce, thus causing a grievance to the British consumer by increasing food prices, and a grievance of the Colonial producer, who desired free access to the Motherland’s markets. Received December 16, 10 a.m. Loudon, December 15.

A leading article and many letters iu the Spectator urge Unionist leaders to retain Mr Balfour’s promise of a referendum for tariff reform, The Spectator asserts that Lord Lansdowue’s Albert Hall speech withdrawing the pledge will do incalculable harm.

The Irish Times says the Irish Unionists are alarmed at the repudiation of the referendum pledge and its possible effect on Lancashire ami Yorkshire. It claims that the Irish Unionists are entitled to ask the tariff reformers to make this sacrifice. Mr Redmond, at Ipswich, denied that the House of Commons had been gagged. He thanked the Liberals on behalf of Ireland for their devotion.