AN ACUTE CRISIS.

Colonist, Volume LII, Issue 12723, 19 February 1910, Page 3

AN ACUTE CRISIS.

SIX CABINET MEETINGS IN A WEEK. A LABOUR MANIFESTO. HOSTILE TO THE GOVERNMENT. (FttEas Association — Coptbioht.] (Received Feb 18, 9.45 p.m.) London, Feb. 18. There arc indications that the crisis has reached an acute stage. The sixth Cabinet meeting within the week last-, ed two hours, and adjourned until late in the -afternoon. Mr Asquith, after an interval, had a f urther audience of the the King. Meanwhile Mr T. P. O'Connor is mediating betweon tho more extreme men and the Ministers. He interviewed the Master of Elibank twice, and Mr Dillon. It was then apparent that an understanding had been reached. . Subsequently Mr Barnes, Chief Labour Whip, after consulting Mr Keir Hardie and other prominent colleagues, authorised the following state, ment embodying the Labour party's settled policy: "Despite his Albert Hall speech, Mr Asquith will hold office without assurances from the King regarding the veto, which moreover will bo dealt only after the Budget. I know that course will not be acceptable to the . Labour party, but it implies what the powers that be think. . The election was not sufficient/.}' decisive with regard to the veto. It involves therefore another election bcrfore tlie House of Lords' question can be settled. If an election must occur we ought to have it as soon as possible. lam aware that the reply to all this is that the. finances of the country must be straightened. I say that the responsibility for the confusion should be put on the authors of it. Doubtless the difficulties could bo overcome by loans and otherwise." Liberals interpret Mr Barnes statement as a declaration of war on the Government, unless the House of JLords question is decisively dealt before the progress of any other business is attempted.