IMPERIAL POLITICS.

Timaru Herald, Volume LXXXIII, Issue 12894, 5 February 1906, Page 5

IMPERIAL POLITICS.

SEW PARTY EST THE LORDS. United Press Association—Per Electric Telegraph—Copyright. LONDON, February 2. The Duke of Devonshire proposes to form a third party in the House of Lords, consisting of Unionist Preetrade peers. MR. BALFOUR TO BE OPPOSED. LONDON, February 3. The " Daily News *' says that there is a strong prospect of the Liberals contesting the city against Mr Balfour. THE UNIONIST PARTY'S FUTURE. Mr Balfour and Mr Chamberlain dined togeth*}-, and discussed, the Unionist party's The "Standard" says, that Mr Asquith and Mr Morley, in .addressing a meeting •at the town iall, declared that Mr Chttnberlain's proposal sought to create a- hew bond of imperial union, - consisting-, of a network of fiscal cobwebs, while the Liberal ideal impliedKself-government and self-de-velopment in fiscal and all other matteis. They were confident that an early concession of full and responsible self-government would gradually efface racial distinctions in South Africa, and that it would result in the combination and concentration of the common interests, of the community to which Boer and Briton belonged. The " -Standard " says that if Mr B.ilfour accepts the general tariff as part of the Unionist policy, it will be possible t;> ieunite the party on a constructive basis. Harmony dep'ends on Mr Balfour's willingness to advance.

A HAPPY PARTY. i Received 12.47 a.m., February sth ! LONDON. February 4. There is evidence of extreme tension between the tariff refminers and the Tialfonrites, the outcome of uncertainty as to relative strength in the House of Lords and House of Commons. There are heated discussions in the dailv and -weekly newspapers concerning the leadership, the

Chamberlainites threatening to decline the party whips. Mr Long is suggested as the possible leader.

Per Press Association

WELLINGTON, February 4. The executive of the New Zealand independent Political Labour League have decided to send a letter to the president and members of the Labour Representation Committee, London, congratulating the Labour party on the success achieved at the elections, and expressing a hope that the party • will preserve its individuality and solidarity.

The letter goes on to say that a great political revoluticn such :is has taken place must necessarily influence the destinies of other peoples and of other lands, and no one can say where its influence will be unfelt or whom it may fail to benefit.