BRITISH POLITICS.

Taranaki Herald, Volume LIV, Issue 13482, 23 July 1907, Page 5

BRITISH POLITICS.

HON. E. BLAKE RESIGNS. United Press Association — By Electric Telegraph . — Copyright. LONDON, July 22. The Hon. Edward Blake, Nationalist, M.P. for Longford, County South, has applied for the "Chiltcrn Hundreds" on the ground of ill-health. (Applying for the "Chiltcrn Hundreds" is equivalent io resigning. No member of tho House of Commons can resign his seat, but by obtaining "the stewardship of his Majesty's Chiltern % Hundreds, the stewardship of the Manor of Poynings, of East Hendred and Northstead, or the Escheatorship of Munster," lie may rid himself of his duties.) AN INTERESTING CAREER. The career of the Hon. E. Blake in the politics of Canada and Great Britain is of intereat almost as much for the honours he refused as for the offices he held. He is a Canadian hy birth ; by profession a barrister. Entering polities, he became the first Premier of Ontario. In the Dominion Parliament he was Minister of Justice and Attorney-General. Later he became President of the Privy Council. He refused the offices of Chancellor of Ontario and Chief Justice of the Dominion of Canada, and the honour of K.C.M.G. After spending eight years as Leader of the Opposition he retired from Canadian politics. Going to England he became in 1892 a member of the Irish Party in the House of Commons. He has retained his seat since then, being returned unopposed last year. *' A DEMOCRATIC TIRADE. THE LORDS MUST;BB ''SETTLED. MR. LLOYD-GEORGE SPEAKS. (Received July 23, 9.5 a.m.) LONDON, July 22. Mr Lloyd-George, President of the Board of Trade, states that government by favoured families has ended ' and government by the people has really begun. The Government is already dealing 'with the feudal system of lantf tithes and the oppression of priestcraft. Next year it is intended to free the schools and lands If tho Lords barred the way, he added, they would be settled. He also said tho Lords could play at, being legislators as long as t)?#y .pleased. , fio described Mr Balfour, Leader of the Opposition, as thp ideal leader in the highest type of statesmanship — • that of graceful incompetence.