A GREAT SPEECH.

Taranaki Herald, Volume LV, Issue 14018, 24 September 1909, Page 2

A GREAT SPEECH.

THE VIEWS OF THE PRESS.

(Received Sept. 24, 8.5 a.m.) LONDON, Sort. 23. Mr. Balfour, concluding, said he did not Ixjliovo tho verdict could be loiik delayed, but tlie conflict would not lie decided at Westminster. "The only tribunal which can say whether wo shall go downhill under socialism or uphill under tariff reform is tho l>eople." The Hon. Henry Chaplin, M.P., moved, aud Sir George Doughty, M.P., seconded, a motion condemning the Budget &nd favouring fiscal reform. It was carried with enthusiasm.

The Standard says Mr. Balfour freely and frankly adopted Mr. Chamberlain^ full policy. The Morning Post declares the gpench to hayo the effect of committing tho Unionist Party to Tariff Reform in n more decisive way than ovor before. Tho Daily News Bays " Mr. Chamberlain's voice was heard once more in a determined call to tbe Lords to rt-ject tho Budget. We ""welcome his clear challenge."

Tho Daily Mail says tho speech 'was unquestionably the finest, most determined, keenest, and most incisive that Mr. Balfour has yet delivered.

. The' Times says Mr. Balfour's remark that "neither the Lords nor the Commons can take the right or title to decide an issue so important" de3orvps attention. This throws a ne«v light upon what the Lords ought to do. Bypassing the Budget with its mass of nonbudgetary matter, the Lords aro only joining the Commons in deciding the nation's future over tho nation's head. SPEECH CRITICISED. (Received Sept. 24, 8.30 a.m.) LONDON. Sept. 23. The Westminster Gazette and Star emphasise Mr. Balfour's silence in regard to food taxes and also declare that his speech is lacking iv details and an alternative policy.