BRITISH POLITICS

Southland Times, Issue 14578, 19 November 1910, Page 5

BRITISH POLITICS

MS BALFOUR AT NOTTINGHAM UNIONIST IDEALS. (By Teltgraph— Press Association—Copyright). LONDON, Nov. 18. Received Nov. IS, 10.20 p.m. Mr Balfour, addressing the National Union Conservative Associations at Nottingham, had a stirring reception. Many Commoners and Parliamentary candi Hates were present. The audience was composed, of nearly all men. Mr Balfour spoke for an hour and ahalf. He declared that tariff reform was still the great constructive policy of Unionists. If it involved a burden on the wage earners he would not touch it; if it increased the cost of bread compensation would be given. In regard to tea and sugar they were trying the Dominions too highly in 'deferring indefinitely the response to the preference that they had so gladly and generously given. Had the Unionists at the Veto Conference agreed to the only terms whereon settlement was possible they would have betrayed their cause. Next he expounded the Unionist proposals in regard to land, the Navy, and the licensing laws. Unionists would be false to their’traditions if they did not extend the workman’s insurance scheme, which would ever be associated with Dir Joseph Chamberlain, to other forma of industrial misfortune. Received Nov. 18, 10.50 p.m. Mr Balfour continued: The second Chamber should oe diminished in number, and should include persons who were qualified by public service, also a Peer-selected element which would carry on the traditions of the Lords. Another element should represent the movements, ideas and great bodies of external public opinion. Those should be equal in number tc the peers sitting by right of their services or election by their fellows. Amicable conferences or joint sittings could deal with deadlocks. The supreme arbiter should be the people. The Government was going to destroy the constitution in obedience to the will of American subscribers. “Mr Redmond is the conqueror who squeezes terms from the conquered.” If Parliamentary Government brought us that declaration then tho party system had broken down. We were no longer self-governing, but were governed by log-rolling factions, who cared nothing about the Empire or the country.

dobs aosEEtars motions

LONDON, Nov. IS. Received Nov. 18, 9.50 p.m. Lord Rosebery declared that the principles of his resolutions wovfd to a large extent solve the constitutional problem without the convulsions of continuous •elections. The differences between the houses were capable of settlement by conferences and referendum, the latter in acute cases. Lord Courtenay declared that the scheme was such a phantom as hardly to be grasped by any rational man. Lord Selbornc held that the reforms were bona fide. It was impossible for one half of the public to coerce another. The Government was unable to settle the question by its own ideas alone. Lord Newton said: “The melancholy fact is that a lot of us will have to go.” Lord Lansdowne declared that he was prepared to support Lord Rosebery's scheme. He attached great importance to nominations by the Government of the day. It would mean mitigation of the disparity of strength in framing legislation. Discussion which dealt with reform of the Lords was futile. Lord Rosebery’s first resolution was carried without division. The second was not discussed, but was withdrawn on the ground that it was too detailed.

Lord Rosebery’s two motions are : (1) That In future the Blouse of Lords shall consist of Lords of Parliament; (a) chosen by the whole body of hereditary peers among themselves and by nomination by the Crown; (b) sitting by virtue of offices and qualifications; and (c) chosen from outside. (2) The term of tenure of all shall be the same, except in the case of those sitting ex-officio, who shall sit so long as they hold the offices wherefor they sit.

A CHSONICHE OPINION. LONDON, Nov. IS. The Chronicle says that it wotjdd afford Liberals profound satisfaction if the Budget were passed before dissolution. The paper adds that it depends upon Mr Asquith's announcement how the Irish will vote on the Budget. A LIBERAL SECEDES, LONDON, Nov. IS. Mi* J. D. Reese, Commoner, has seceded from the Liberals because the leaders are attempting to rush single Chamber and Home Rule proposals. THE BUDGET. LONDON, Nov. 17. Another result of the Premier’s interview with the King is that the Commons will discuss the Budget While, the Lords are debating the Veto Bill. SCOTLAND’S CLAIMS. LONDON. Nov. 17. The Scottish National Committee of the Commons has resolved that Home Rule for Scotland is an essential element of constitutional reform. The final settlement must Include national self-government. SOME ANNOUNCEMENTS. LONDON, Nov. 17. The Premier promises an important pronouncement at the National Liberal Club on Saturday. It is announced that the Earl of Crewe will move the second reading of the Veto Bill on Monday. The Lords ar. discussing Lord Rosebery's reform resolutions. CONSERVATIVE RESOLUTIONS.

LONDON, Nov. 17. The National Union of Conservatives of Nottingham has approved of Lord Lansdowne’s action in favour of reform by the exclusion of the hereditary element. Resolutions also approved of fiscal reform, including colonial preference, small ownership of land, unalterable opposition to Horne Rule and a modification of the licensing duties. The Union also condemned the abandonment of tire two-Power standard for the Navy. HOME RULE AND WAR. LONDON, Nov. 17. Mr Samuel, speaking at Dublin, said that it war occurred under Home Rule all round how could Ireland and Wales bo compelled to contribute in the absence of an Imperial executive. Had there been a Welsh Parliament coiled by Mr Lived George at (lie time of the Boer war it would like an Irish Parliament under Mr John Dillon, have refused to contribute one penny. UNIONISM AND POLITICS. SYDNEY, Nov. IR, Mr .1. Hodge, Labour member for Gorton, who is on a visit here, says that in England they realise that. Unionism without political action is played out. Tire only remedy for the. Taft Yale and Osborne judgments was to revolt and defy the law.