The British Crisis

Taranaki Daily News, Volume LIV, Issue 29, 28 July 1911, Page 5

The British Crisis

A UNIONISTS' RALLY. • i A VEHEMENT APPEAL. By (Jahle.—Press o»py:rigkt, Received 27, 11.25 p.m. London, July 27. Those present at Lord Halsbury's banquet included Earl Roberts, the Duke of Northumberland, the' Earl of Plymouth, Mr. W. H. Smith, the Duke of Marlborough, Lord Hugh Cecil, and the Duke of Westminster. The full list has not been published. Mr. Joseph Chamberlain sent a letter expressing the wish that he could have been present, and adding that he heartily supported the object. The letter concluded: "The country owes a great debt to Lord Halsbury, Bince In this crisis of her fate he refused to sacrifice his principles." Lord Sp'iborne, who presided, said the division of opinion in the Party was confined to a single issue, namely, the creation of peers. It was the duty of Unionists to stand firm until they were outvoted in the lobbies. Lord Halsbury, who received' an ovation, made a vehement appeal, to resist the Veto Bill, which, he declared, was the most unconstitutional measure ever proposed. The last time peers were created for the purpose of carrying a great measure three of the authors were impeached, two fled the country, and another was confined to the Tower for two years. Lord Milner declared: "We will give np our privileges, but not our trusteeship." AH the speakers paid a high tribute to Mr. Balfour and Lord Lansdowne. Mr. Austen Chamberlain met with a great reception, being greeted with cheers and exclamations of "Our Future Prime Minister." ■ _ BRINGING THE UNIONIST PAPERS INTO LINE. Received 27, 11.30 p.m. London, July 27. Mr. Balfour's letter to Lord Newton has brought the Unionist papers into line. The only remaining dissentients arc the Daily Express, Pall Mall Gazette, the Globe, and the Sheffield Telegraph. OBEDIENT PEERS. Received 28, 1.25 a.m. London, July 27. Two hundred and thirty peers have signified their intention of supporting Lord Lansdowne. Many intimated that they will vote for the Government if required. RECALCITRANT UNIONISTS. London, July 26. Numerous letters are being sent to the press from recalcitrant Unionists, explaining their attitude towards Lord Lansdowne's policy.