BRITISH POLITICS.

Gisborne Times, Volume XIX, Issue 1611, 25 November 1905, Page 2

BRITISH POLITICS.

By telegraph,* Preaa Ass’p* Copyright London, Nov. 23. ,< Lord Rosebery, prefacing his challenge, said: If Mr Chamberlain can unite the Empire in fiscal union withoat taxing raw material and only a slight taxing of food, the proposition might be worth considering. The Times’ opinions cabled to-day were published on Wednesday. Reverting to the subject to-day, the Times admits that Mr Chamberlain’s speech has effected a change calculated to induce the Government to reconsider the position. The appeal fit Newcastle has not elicited an adequate response from the party. While Mr Chamberlain appeals to Unionists to fight for his policy as the only view he thinks worth fighting ifor, he is entirely right in fighting with all his might. Doubtless Mr Balfour - would concur in this opinion. It is difficult to Bee the public advantage in remaining till tbe spring- Mr Balfour's other alternative is to recognise his inability , to longer count on the hearty support of a united party and to resign at an early date. The Daily Telegraph says Mr Balfour’s oarly resignation is desirable from every standpoint. The press suggestions for Mr Balfour's early resignation have exoited political oirclrs. It is expeetsd that the Liberal Government, after a brief session,' will appeal to the country early in 1906. : r

Mr Akers Douglas, in a speech at Salisbury, said Unionists were agreed as to the necessity of some fiscal change, but could not settle the details until the colonial conference had spoken.

Sir Edward Clarke, speaking at Edinburgh, said if the unfortunate name of retaliation was abandoned and fair trade advocated, the Unionists would convinoe the great mass of the nation. !

THE TALK OF DISSOLUTION. . • • 1 f By telegraph, Press Ass’n, Copyright ; Received 11.40 p.m., Nov. 24. London. Nov. 24. The Ohroniole and some other papers consider the Times and Telegraph apparently inspired their suggestion less as a final declaration of Mr Balfour’s intention than as a threat. Liberal newspapers strongly object to Liberals assuming office at (he present junoture. They detlare that Mr Balfour should dis-iolve. , ; \ The Daily News says tho Government does not dare faoe the music of a general election, and hopes to make 1 the Liberals assume office and dissolving technically as defendants before the oohntry, Irish Unionists attach the greatest importaqco to the continuance during the trying months of winter of Mr Long’s firm administration. Otherwise they fear a renewal of the agitation. ! The Times says for the Liberals to refuse offico when clamoring' for years for Mr Balfour’s resignation will bring them serious discredit-: A dissolution now would deprive the new Parliament of all oonstitu tional authority in the eyes of parliamentary purists, because the election would be on an electoral register a year old while a new one is preparing. Practically speaking a dissolution is impossible until January. •-