IMPERIAL POLITICS.

West Coast Times, Issue 13733, 1 February 1906, Page 3

IMPERIAL POLITICS.

A Labour Leader on the Position.

London, Jan 31

Keir Hardie, in an ar.irle to the 1 Nitioml Review, emphasising the sudden apparition of tbo Labour Party, giunt and grim, knowing neither Liberals or Conservatives, save as opponents to be guarded against, adds — The common people of Britain, for weal or woe. like chose of the world generally, have entered on a fiual struggle with the upper classes for supremacy.

Hardie, continuing, declares that protection will be discussed on its merits He says it will be the aim of the Labourites to vifit the colonies and arrange with Labour there a common course of action to strengthen the relations between the Motherland and che colonies, and to arrange to take the qne&tion of free trade v. protection out of the bands of party politicians and come to an understanding acceptable to the several Labour movements. He emphasises that mechanical inventions are rapidly reducing the demand for labour and increasing the output of commodities.

The Labour Representation Committee candidates elected for Parliament will sit with the Opposition, whether Liberals or Unionis'.s.

The Daily Graphic declares the Unionists' crushing defeat is the result of tka Conservative revolt against the tariff reform. Without questioning tbe theoretical acenracy of Chamberlain's position, it says his policy is ono of revolution without justification or urgent necessity.