BRITISH POLITICAL CRISIS

Taranaki Daily News, Volume LIV, Issue 25, 24 July 1911, Page 5

BRITISH POLITICAL CRISIS

THE KING'S PREROGATIVE. TO BE INVOKED BY THE GOVERNMENT. By Gable. —Preis Ass •ciatem.—Copyright London, July 21. Mr. Asquith, in a letter to Mr. Balfour, informed him that the Government would advise the House of Commons to disagree with the Lords' amendments, and ask the King to exercise his prerogative to secure the passing of the Bill substantially as it left the House of Commons. His Majesty had signified that he would consider it his duty to accept and act upon that advice. Mr. Asquith announced that he will keep Monday free in the House of Commons for any proceedings neces•ary when the Parliament Bill is returned from the Lords. ONE WEEK'S TIME. "I"'"' THE KING'S CHOICE. MR. ASQUITH'S "IRISH MASTERS." Received 23, 5.5 p.m. l!iondon, July 22. According to his present intentions Mr. Asquith will on Monday move the postponement of the debate on the Veto Bill to consider the amendment of the Lords. One week will be given to enable Unionist peers to guarantee that the Bill will pass as transmitted from the House of Commons, or the Government will specially create new peers. The Times, in a leading article headed "Mr. Asquith's Coup d'Etat," denounces the brusque ultimatum as the most violent of alternatives, saying it is unconstitutional, unjustifiable and unprecedented. It adds that the King is not constitutionally compelled to accept the advice of his Ministers, but he is compelled to find someone who will carry on the administration. Mr. Balfour's acceptance of this task would involve a fruitless dissolution. The King therefore has no real choice but to accept Mr. Asquith's advice. .Mr. Asquith, however, will do as Mr. Redmond bids, but nemesis assuredly awaits him when he attempts to satisfy the impossible demands of his Irish masters.

The Daily Telegraph says the shadow | of compulsion is over the Unionists, and their only chance is to enter a straight protest against the outrage imposed on J Unionists, and to abjure all responsibil-' ity. The Daily News declares that part of the Bill decisively defeats the oligarchy's attempt to win back more ground than has been lost since 1832. The Morning Post says that once the Government obtains a surrender their triumph over the whole field of politics will be complete capitulation, meaning the utter ruin of the Unionist Party. ADVICE TO UNIONIST PEERS. Received 24, 12.55 a.m. London, July 23. The Chronicle says that Mr. Asquith's remarkable announcements regarding the Veto Bill was due to the revolt of wild peers. Lord Lansdowne showed that the Unionist leaders should cease their opposition. When opposition ceased they would be free agents. Tory peers should know betimes they were no longer free agents. SECOND PACIFIC CABLES. IRISH LAND PURCHASE. Received 23, 5.5 p.m. London, July 22. The House of Commons passed a financial resolution authorising the construction of a second Pacific cable between New Zealand and Australia. A sum of £00,000,000 was advanced for Irish land purchase under various Acts, to end in March 1912. The amounts-applied for and not yet advanced total £47,G18,000. < Meeting of unionists. THE PUBLIC PERPLI&ED.

London, July 21. Private meetings of the Conservative Party have taken place at Mr. Balfour's house, and of Conservative peers at Lansdowne House. Public opinion is much perplexed ] over the situation. A BY-ELECT TON. London, July 21. In the Luton election the voting was Harsworth (Libera",) 7610, J. 0. Hickman (Unionist) 7007. [At the general election the votina was: T. G. Asliton (L.) 7601, J. H. Hickman (U.) 0623.] THE INSURANCE BILL. London, July 21. Mr. Keir Hardie states that the Insurance Bill is doomed, and that Mr. Lloyd-George's health is giving way under the strain, the defects in the measure being more serious than he imagined. The Chronicle says the fate of the Bill hangs in the balance. The Government veto is exposed to constant risks of critical divisions, and special responsibilitv attaches to the Labor members.