AN INDEPENDENT MEMBER.

Colonist, Volume LII, Issue 12722, 18 February 1910, Page 3

AN INDEPENDENT MEMBER.

SPEECH BY LORD ROSEBERY. MR CHAMBERLAIN'S APPEARANCE. [Press Association— Coptbight.] London, Feb 16. Lord Rosebery, presiding at a dinner in honour of Mr -Harold Cox' s political independence, in a witty speech on Jthe party system, said that each party fooled its conscience, and anyone declining was expelled as- grit hindering the oily work of the machine. The silent voters whom Mr Cox represented wero ineffectually represented in Parliament because they were unorganised and indolent. He concluded by suggesting that the free trade and -tariff reform issue, should be entrusted to a Royal Commission. Mr Joseph Chamberlain made a dramatic appearance in the House of Commons. Assisted by his son, Mr Austen Chamberlain, and Viscount Morpeth, he. took his seat on the front i bench, and the oath. He was loudly cheered. The Speaker expressed the House's gratification at Mr Chamberlain's return, and Mr Chamberlain acknow^ ledged it and withdrew. His departure to Cannes was delayed to enable him to appear in the House of Commons.