SIR ROBERT STOUT.

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

SIR ROBERT STOUT.

INTERVIEWED AT PERTH. VIEWS ON ENGLISH AFFAIRS. (Press Association — Copyright. J Perth, Feb 17. Sir Robert Stout, Chief Justice I>f New Zealand, has returned. In an interview lie said he considered that the British pcopta do not realise the important constitutional question involved in the recent elections. There might have been grave trouble ahead of tho Liberal party as the King had not given Mr Asquith a pledge to do what he would do ; but no doubt some way would be found. Regarding the condition of the English workers. Sir Robert paid a tribute to Mr John Burns, President ot the tbcal Government Board, for his, efforts to improve them. What England most wanted was a crusade against the drink evil, headed by national fenders. In manufactures England still exported twice as much per capita as Germany, and four times as much as America, but slackness seemed to prevail among tho people, who were given over to amusement. Sir Robert compared the Australian press favourably with the English, and declared that "The, Times" had lost its independent tone and became a party organ.