IMPERIAL POLITICS.

Gisborne Times, Volume XXVII, Issue 2629, 11 October 1909, Page 5

IMPERIAL POLITICS.

A BAROMETRIC CONSTITUENCY

Unwei) I’uiiss Association COPYRIGHT LONDON, Oct. 8. . Groat interest is being taken in the by-election for Bermondsey, which is a barometric constituency. Dr Cooper, the late member, died suddenly on reaching home after a late sitting. Mr Ridsdale, Liberal member of the House of Commons for Brighton, announces that he will not seek re-elec-tion, believing the Budget proposals to be unsound and that they will react disastrously to the country. A LIBERAL SARCASM. LONDON, Oct. 8. Mr. Dewar, Solicito-General, speaking at Maidstone, suggested that land lords should have one self-denial week a year, which would pay the increased taxation tenfold. THE DEVELOPMENT BILL. (Received October 10, 5.5 p.m.) : LONDON, October 9. The Development Bill has passed its third reading in the House of Commons, and the House has adjourned. ELECTION PREPARATIONS. The East Marylebone Unionists and Conservatives, in deference to the party leaders, have decided not to oppose Lord Robert Cecil at the general election. Mr. Assheton Pownall, Unionist candidate for Bermondsey, is now in Australia, and a question has arised whether the election should be fought in his absence, or another candidate selected .

IMPORTANT LIBERAL UTTER-

ANCES

Speaking at a banquet to Lord Loreburn (formerly Sir R. T. Reid), given by the National Liberal Club. Mr Winston Churchill said it would be a constitutional outrage if the Lords rejected the Finance Bill. It was difficult to believe that responsible statesmen would plunge the country’s finances into largely irremediable confusion, moreover, the Opposition leaders were not anxious to fight a decisive battle upon an unfavorable issue. The control of finance by the representative Assembly was the keystone of the constitutional fabric. After 600 hours’ discussion, the Budget would leave the Commons in full- form. He added: “We fear no conflict, shall make no overtures, shall Sfccept no compromise.”

Lord Loreburn declared that the present Parliament had run over twothirds of its statutory! life. He added: “If the country disapproves of the taxes, they can be repealed. I cannot believe that the Conservative leaders will take steps leading to a most grave conflict and placing the business of the country in a state of disaster.” He repudiated the allegation that the Liberals’ aims are socialistic, and said that the only really novel tax is the land tax.

SPEECH BY MR. LLOYD-GEORGE

(Received October 11, 1.5 a.m) LONDON, October 10

Mr. Lloyd-George addressed 4000 pepole in the Palace Theatre, Newcastle. Elaborate barricades around the hall kept the suffragettes from entering, and the audience was entirely composed of men. Nevertheless several interruptions and an ejection took place in the early part of the speech. Mr. Lloyd-George had a great reception. He said: “The Budget has emergen from 40 aays' ana 40 nights' in the wilderness, much strengthened and improved. We have done our best under the circumstances anff the Bill is now practically in the form in which it is going to become law. The only classes who detest it are the foodtaxers, who know that the Budget will put an end to their desires, and the landlords, v/ho chiefly object to a State valuation, which will put a perfectly impartial valuation upon land, and form a standard for the future buyer. The Government are going to have all the taxes or none. If the Budget was an attack on industry it was strange that trade is improving, and that industries are beginning to make profits. The only slump has been in dukes. (Laughter.) A fully-equipped duke costs as much to maintain as a couple of Dreadnoughts. He is as great a terror, and lasts longer. The Budget has simply knocked a little gilt off the ducal stage coach.”