IMPERIAL POLITICS.

Taranaki Herald, Volume LV, Issue 14135, 15 February 1910, Page 3

IMPERIAL POLITICS.

THE PREMIER AND THE NATIONALISTS. MR- REDMOND’S ATTITUDE. By- Electric Telegraph.—Copyright. LONDON, Feb. 14. Tho Times’ Dublin correspondent says it is generally believed Mr. Asquith ' will offer formal pledges which, at any rate on paper, will be sufficiently substantial to save Mr. Redmond’s face. The Nationalists shrink from tho pros- - pect of another election. It is understood that the bulk of Mr. O’Connor’s £IO,OOO from America was spent in tho recent elections. Mr. Redmond is possibly willing to vote for the Budget if the threatened burdens of overtaxation in Ireland are eliminated, as advocated by the Unionist and equally by ' some of the Nationalist newspapers. The Daily News says Mr. Redmond’s .attitude has undoubtedly forced what may be described as a wholesome crisis. The position is some degrees graver than is generally imagined. A single phrase in the King’s Speech, or a hint from Mr. Asquith, on the Address, will suffice to make any guarantees known. SPEECH BY LIBERAL WHIP. NEW DIFFICULTIES ARISEN. C LONDON, Feb. 14. Mr. Fuller, Liberal Whip, speaking at Trowbridge, said that during the Ipst three days difficulties had arisen making it quite possible for the House of Commons to reject the Budget. Tho two great parties were never so equally balanced, and he did not know what attitude the Nationalists might ‘assume. The Liberals, he said, should retain their organisation in view of the possibility of another election before many months. ' The Chronicle states that it is now probable that the attack on the veto will be the first subject taken in the Commons after the Address, even though this may involve the risk of losing the Budget; The Chronicle adds that there is no certainty that giving the Budget priority .would save r it from the wolves. MR. ASQUITH’S AUDIENCE WITH THE’ KING, PRESS OPINIONS.' PRECARIOUS SITUATION. (Received - Feb. 15, 8.5 a.m.) LONDON, Feb. 14., The Morning Post says it was reported among the Radical party yesterday that Mr. Asquith had failed to obtain ' any" of the promises ho desired 5 from the King. The Liberals eriterI tain a very real sense of the peril the I Government has to face from its own allies. The Standard says it is taken for granted that Mr. Asquith did not obtain, oven if ho sought, those guarantees from the King, without which he said in December that he would not continue to hold office, and he may easily be persuaded of the general impossibility of conducting successful administration under such circumstances. THE LAST ELECTION RETURN. STATE OF. PARTIES. (Received Feh. 15, 8.40 a.m.) LONDON, Feb. 14. The last of the election returns is now in, Mr. J. Cathcart Wason (L.) having been re-elected for Orkney and Shetland by 4117 votes against 994 record- ‘ ed for Mr. Semploy (C.). [ln 1906 the result was: Wason, 3837; Dunlop (C.), 1021. Mr. Wason is an ex-New Zealander.] The position of parties in the new House is as follows; Liberals 276 Unionists 273 Labour -39 Nationalists 71 O’Brienites 11 Total 670 The Liberals lost 118 seats, gained 22, and retained 254. The Unionists lost 17, gained 127, and retained 146. The Labour party lost 15, gained 2, and retained 37. The Nationalists lost one seat, A DISSATISFIED LIBERAL. VETO DEMANDED FIRST. LONDON, Feb. 14. Mr. H. Belloc, Liberal M.P. for Salford, publishes a vigorous letter in the Times denouncing the policy of passing the Budget before tho veto as a betrayal of Liberal supporters. Tho Morning Loader (Liberal) fiercely demands tho veto first. The Westminster Gazette (Independent) protests against Ministers being bullied, and declares that the Government cannot continue in office and disclaim responsibility for the financial position.