IMPERIAL POLITICS.

Gisborne Times, Volume XXVII, Issue 2664, 20 November 1909, Page 5

IMPERIAL POLITICS.

MR, BALFOUR’S SPEECH

United Press Association—rrorvuioiiT

LONDON, Nov. 18

Mr. Balfour, concluding his Manchester speech said : “The only practical alternative—and I am talking about practical politics as avo know them —to tariff reform is tlie Budget, which will be disastrous to every great industry, and a combination of bad finance and muddleheaded Socialism.” He added: “Lord Lansdowne asks tlie House of Lords to take such action as will compel the constituencies to be consulted before they commit themselves to .such schemes. I at all events, at heart, believe the Budget inimical to the interests of the poor. 'Whatever is the issue of that trial, Lord LansdoAvne is abundantly right.” (Cheers.) Most newspapers agree that Mr. Balfour made a great speech, but comment severally from the party standpoints. The Liberal organs incidentally argue, that no guarantees are forthcoming concerning his assurances respecting the cost of living. Mr. Walter Runeiman, Secretary of the Board of Education, speaking at Hull, made reference to a rumour that the Government might consult the House of Lords in regard to what taxes they should collect during the interregnum. The Government, lie said, should have no dealings with the Lords on finance. Mr. J. A. Pearce, Liberal member for Saffron Walden, in a letter urges that as far as possible Liberals should respect seats held by Labor members, and he urges the Labor Representation Committee to respect Liberal seats. He adds: “If an aggressive attitude is persisted in by Labor the latter are more likely to be the losers.” THE IRISH LAND BILL. As the result of a conference of the front benches the Lords have agreed not to insist on the amendments in the Irish Land Bill. The Government yielded many points but A-oted against an amendment of clause 0-1 for the creation of an indedendent tribunal to hear appeals against the compulsory acquisition of land. Lorn Lansdowne stated that the vital point he .had raised was. still unsettled. MR. HALDANE’S REPLY TO MR. BALFOUR—NO QUARTER TO BE ASKED OR GIVEN. (Receiced November 19, 10 p.m) LONDON, Nov. 19. Mr. Haldane, addressing the Eighty Club, said: “Lord Lansdowne from his watch-tower has given the signal, and Mr. Balfour has trumpeted a frontal attack. Wo accept the challenge. No quarter is asked. None will be given. (Cheers.) The Cabinet is absolutely united as regards the Budget. Let us stick to what is Avithin the four corners of the great Bill- It ..would be idle to waste time or to speculate as to the result of the great fight. We intend to concentrate ourselves on Avinning it. The issues of the election will be freetrade and the Budget. I would remind mv hearers that Mr. Balfour, at Sheffield, in 1903, declared that m Ins view of public opinion as it was, be could not lead a party which committed itself to taxes on food, and,” added Mr. Haldane, “I have no reason to think that public opinion in the country is now different. We shall see whether the party lias got any further in that direction.” Mr. Haldane also expressed himself hopefiil as to tlie result of the coming struggle. A NATIONALIST DECLARATION. Mr. John Redmond, speaking at Dublin, declared that if the Nationalists take -a vigorous part in the battle against the Lords, they must have Mr. Asquith’s official declaration that Home ; Rule will he one ’of the issues for the election.