IMPERIAL POLITICS.

Gisborne Times, Volume XXVII, Issue 2687, 17 December 1909, Page 5

IMPERIAL POLITICS.

PROSPECTS OF HOME RULE. • * UNITED PIIHSS ArHOCIATION 1_»0 PYltlllllT, ... LONDON, Dec. 15.

The Irish League directory’s resolution interprets Mr. Asquith as claiming a mandate to deal with the selfgovernment of Ireland as soon as the Lords’ veto is cleared out of the road. The “Times” says that this is a somewhat free interpretation of Mr. Asquith’s words. ' • Lord Dunraven, in a letter, says: “Mr. Asquith’s utterance on Home Rule is of no practical value. Home Rule has been within the four corners of the Liberal policy for 20 years, but is assuredly not a leading item in its practical programme. The triumph of the Socialist-Radical party would (prove disastrous to the material well-being of Ireland and the spiritual well-being of the Irish in Britain:

THE LORDS AND FINANCE BILLS

Lord Lindley, in a letter to' the “Times,” explains the difference between the Commons framing a Budget and imposing taxes. The act of imposing a tax required the assent ofthe Lords and the King. The necessity of all these three was a safeguard against the tyranny of one or two. The power to reject a Finance Bill was conferred by statute. In the present case the Lords exercised an undoubted right, because they believed the Finance Bill contained new features contrary to the nation’s interests. If the Lords passed it they would have lost for ever the right of rejecting future Finance Bills, however injurious such Bills -might be.

The' Unionists of Saffron Walden summon Mr. _ Pease to substantiate or withdraw Ih s allegations regarding intimidation of voters.

Lord Robert Cecil, speaking at Blackburn, declared that the imposition of special import duties was a perfectly legitimate business proposition, which should commend itself to managers in a country such a,s Britain.

" ELECTION NOTES

Upwards of half the electors of Oxford University have promised to support Sir W. L. Anson. Lord Hugh Cecil, in a letter to the “Westminster Gazette,” apologised for the statement that Lord Lansdown© received a deputation from the licensing trade prior to the rejection of the Budget. Unionist newspapers quote Mr. Redmond’s article in the “Nineteenth Century” of November, 1894, which derides the policy which Mr. Redmond now. accepts. The, Nonconformist Unionist Association, circularising branches, urged Nonconformists t-o sign a petition against any interference with the legislative union between Britain and Ireland.

The Council of' the Northumberland miners, by 47 to 39, agreed, subject to confirmation by the lodges, not to oppose Messrs Burt and Fenwick running as independent candidates.

ELECTIONEERING STATEMENTS

Mr. Lloyd George, in. a speech at Carnarvon, stated that a small tailor’s shop next door to Cardiff Castle was assessed at £947 annually, while the Marquis of Bute was assessed at £924 “The tailor’s solicitors proved that his assessment was only £4O, and asked Mr. Lloyd-George to apologise. Mr. Lloyd-George replied that the premises he meant were not strictly next door. He mentions the name, which is one of the largest clothing emporiums in Wales. 'He admits that the Marquis of Bute contributes £33,000 annually to Cardiff in rates.

Mr. Haldane, Minister for War, in a speech at Tranent, said he did not believe Germany intended' to invade the country. “You can,” he said, “rest assured that we will keejp our powder dry.” THE HOME RULE QUESTION. (Received December 16 10.5 p.m.) A meeting of 69 of the Irish Parliamentary party in Dublin unanimously confirmed the directory’s resolution. The party’s official newspapers defend the resolution which, according to the “Times” Dublin correspondent, is received in other quarters with significant silence, or with open condemnation.. . The “Sinn Fein” fiercely attacks the decision.

MR McKENNA ON THE BONDS' OF EMPIRE.

Mr. McKenna (First Lord of the A<imiralty), addressing 3000 people at Southend, said that the year was memorable owing -to the oversea Dominions joining'the Motherland in the naval defence of the Empire, and contributing proportionately to growth to the strength of the whole. (Cheers.) / He would shortly be ordering twogreat ships of the Dreadnought cruiser class, which Australia and New Zealand were providing and paying for. (Cheers.) Well might we feel that the bonds;of Empire were closely linked.