IMPERIAL POLITICS.

Timaru Herald, Volume XIIIC, Issue 14154, 14 March 1910, Page 5

IMPERIAL POLITICS.

COMMENT ON ESTIMATES. Assodation-Bv Telegraph-Copyright LONDON, March 11 The* " Times " says that the fact that no echoes have been heard this year of a conflict between the Admiralty and the Cabinet indicates that the Cabinet has accepted the Admiralty's proposals without cavil. The country will therefore be slow to take exception to the programme. This will be satisfactory, if Germany's rate of construction has not appreciably advanced. ! The "Times" adds that tenders for the colonial Dreadnoughts and cruisers are presumably under the consideration of the colonial authorities, with whom, rather than with the Admiralty, the immediate initiative would seem to lie. The " Chronicle " says that the estimates have been framed in an extravagant and alarmist spirit, but it is necessary to remember that, as the ships wear out, Britain's superiority in preDreadnought strength tends to diminish. The "Daily News" says that both Britain and Germany are witnessing a fierce struggle on the part of the rich to make the poor pay the price of this insane competition, which leads to the creation of irritation, hatred and craven fears. POSTPONEMENT OF SERVICES. The Opposition attribute the postponement of all services until the middle of May to the Government's desire to add to their successors' difficulties, should a change of Cabinet occur. The "Westminster Gazette" justifies a six-weeks vote on the ground that the Government is bound to retain for the House of Commons the power of controlling the situation. It adds: "The Unionists have been hoping, if supply is voted until August, that they will be enabled to precipitate or postpone dissolution at pleasure." The "Star'.' says: "The meaning cf the Government's sharp action is to avoid a dissolution. The deadlock will be ended by a refusal of supplies until the passage of the Veto Bill is assured." The "Globe" says the electorates will make a very practical retort when they learn that ponsions are to be withheld to enable Mr Asquith and Mr Lloyd George to retain office. DREADNOUGHT GIFTS.

Owing to the doubt- expressed in sov.o r-uariers. the "Daily explains why the Australasian Droadnuuyuts lit) iiOL iii rj[._- Jji-.ti.-;li estimates. The dates when the keel plates will be laid, the prices, the time occupied in construction, are all matters for the- colonial Governments. A POLITICAL REVOLUTION. The "Morning Leader,'' referring to the House of Commons dehai<\ says the Government lias at least that revolution laiist bo met by counter revolution. The "Times" declares that the Government contemplates bringing all their power to carry on the business of the- country to about the middle of Slay. It adds that tiiere will be no money to pay the civil services or old age pensions. PRESS ANTICIPATIONS. Received 5 p.m., March 13th. LONDON, March 12. Several newspapers anticipate that when the House of Lords rejects or postpone the House of Commons' veto resolutions. Mr Asquith will ask the Tvin:; for guarantees or appeal to the country. Sir A. F. Acland-Hood, spenk-'nc: at I .Y-.d! : n:-f.on, anticipated Mr Asor-itlrs w!. cii a ihmiicinl crn;s was beli;. -..x-e----p: -d. The Unionist- nc wspnpc-rs are republishing Mr Churchill's speech. TTTHSKY DUTIES. The "Daily Telegraph" states that. the Nationalists have received assurances that the whisky dirties will be abandoned in the ne:,t Budget. IN THEIR OWN HANDS. The " Manchester Guardian " declares that the election commissi! n:d the Government to suppress the Lords' insurrection by granting supply for an extended period, and the Commons has committed itself to approval of the Government's doings throughout, the session. PREMIER CONCILIATORY. In the House of Commons, Mr Haldone, yielding to Opposition protests, promised to introduce the Army Annual Bill before Easter. He announced that he was taking sufficient supply for the Army for several months. The Unionists thanked Mr Haldane for his conciliatory attitude. THE CONGO. Sir E. Grey said that the recent debate on Congo affairs showed that Britain was watching for the promised reforms in an attitude of suspense and benevolent expectancy. Recognition of annexation was dependent upon definite guarantees that the new system of constitution would bring about a definite change, and upon receiving satisfactory reports from the British Consuls. EMPLOYMENT OF RESERVISTS. Sir Edward Grey, in replying to a question, said that emigration of reservists was permitted to a limited extent. Regarding soldiers who had completed their engagements, the Army Council would be glad if employment with the overseas dominions' defence forces could be guaranteed for say two years. This would enable them to take lip work wherefor they were fully qualified, and benefit the dominions while settling down in their new environments. No advances in the reservists' pay could be made. No definite steps have been taken to ascertain the dominions' yiews in this directly,