IMPERIAL.

New Zealand Graphic, Volume XLIII, Issue 23, 8 December 1909, Page 7

IMPERIAL.

THE Budjet has been rejected, and a general election will follow next month. The Opositions official motion, moved by Lord Lansdowne, that the House was not justified in passing the bill till it had been submitted to the judgment of the country, was carried by a five to one majority, 350 peers voting for it and 75 against. Important speeches were made upon the subject during the we: . by Lords Morley, Curzon, Rothschild and Crewe. The Secretary of State for the Colonies in his final estimate of the position, said:—“Your Lordships are making a most tragic blunder, and if the country condones or approves your decision, your fellow subjects abroad will ask if the citizens of the Motherland are altogether fitted for the exercise of responsible government. It is not a reformed House which is rejecting the Budget. Whether we sit here or opposite, as the result, we must set ourselves to obtain guarantees, fenced about and guarded by statute, preventing that indiscriminate destruction of our legislation of which vour work tonight will provide the climax and the crown.” The House of Lords has assented to the compromise with the House of Commons on the Irish Land Bill. The Marquis of Lansdowne (Leader of the Opi>osition) said the Government had met the Lords in a reasonable spirit, though the Opposition was still unsatisfied, particularly regarding the amendment concerning the appeal tribunal. He said nothing was to be gained by further controversy, considering the political conditions of the moment. Speaking of Germany’s naval expansion, Judge J. C. Bigham said:—“Germans have assured us that Germany has no intention of attacking us. We need an enormous navy; Germany does not, and I am unable to find any explanation for her great navy except that it is to be held in reserve for future use and for a use not agreeable to us. We should therefore .-pare no pains or money in keeping our fleet up to the mark. If we do so we shall live in peace.” The keel plate of the Dreadnought-cruiser Lion has been laid at Devonport. She will develop 70,000-h.p., and will be 100 ft longer than H.M-S. Indefatigable. The keel plate of the Orion, an im proved Dreadnought, of 23,000 tons, has also been laid at Portsmouth, on the slip vacated by H.M.s. Neptune. It is officially announced that Admiral Sir Arthur Knyvett Wilson will succeed Lord Fisher as First Sea Lord of the Admiralty on January 25. Mr. As quith, with King Edward's approval, has requested Lord Fisher to continue membership of the Committee of Imperial Defence after' vacating the post.