BRITISH POLITICS.

Gisborne Times, Volume XIX, Issue 1677, 19 February 1906, Page 2

BRITISH POLITICS.

RE-ORGANISATION OF THE

OPPOSITION,

By talpgrapbj Presa 'Asa'flt Copyrl'gb Londoo, Feb. 16. Mr Balfour, presiding at a meeting of six Hundred and fifty Feeie and niembors of tho Jtfouso of Commons, and defeated candidates, at Lansdowno House, recommended reorganisation throughout tho country, and a closer understanding between the Conservative central odicos. Success depended on a uuited constructive policy and tho maintenance of Unionist principles. The Duke of Norfolk, in moving a vote of confidence in Mr Balfour’s l -- leadership, appealed for such efficient criticism and Opposition attacks and principles in the House of Commons as would enable the House of Lords, when necessary, to exerciso its constitutional duty. Colonel Saunderson seconded. _ The Duke of Devonshire said he saw no reason, if a modus vivendi on the fiscal question (could be devised, for the lifetime of the present Parliament, why they should not act together in reasonable harmony. His speech implied that methods were open to discussion until the time for practical action, but the correspondence recently published disclosed a compromise that was unsatisfactory to tariffites, retaliators, or freetraders. Mr Chamberlain replied that to shelve tariff reform for five years would sound the death knell of the policy and party. He denied, there was a compromise; it was’ a definition. Yiscount Saint Aldwyn, formerly Sir Michael Hicks Beach, supported retaliation, and an open colonial conference. He admitted that the definition did not commit the party to a general tariff or tax on corn, but asked fair play for those unprepared to commit themselves to the latter. Mr Balfour informed Lord Hugh Cecil that he did not interfere with the constituencies' choice of candidates, but if asked advice would prefer a j candidate not offering divided allegi- | ance. •

The motion y as carried unanimously, ■with enthusiasm. The Daily News, commenting on the matter of pensions, advises Mr Asquith to revise them and graduate the income tax.