IMPERIAL POLITICS.

Gisborne Times, Volume XXVII, Issue 2689, 20 December 1909, Page 5

IMPERIAL POLITICS.

MR CHAMBERLAIN’S MANIFESTO

United Fit ess Association—uopyrigiit. LONDON, Dec.-17.' Mr Joseph Chamberlain, in a preface •to Mr Galvin’s booklet on “Tariff or .Budget?” sayfe: “When the Government 'cam© to the belated conclusion .that the Lords meant business they changed their tune and endeavored to convince themselves and others that the Lords’ action was unconstitutional and unwise. They sought to fight the on a false issue, and not upon a -policy of tariff reform -which lias made an evident impression on the •-country, and which is the only policy they dread. Their supporters would . sweep away fall constitutional usefulness of the second chamber. They -apparently intend the practical destruction of the Houses ;of Lords, and not its genuine amendment. Any such proposals are urilikely to find favor with any sensible man. I believe that a House of Commons, entirely uncontrolled, would be a great public danger, and much worse than the House of lords, which, r being hereditary, must depend for its whole strength and influence upon its success in interpreting -the true mind of the people. The second point is whether Cobdenism, especially as regards ' freedom of foreign imports from all taxation, while heavier burdens are laid upon our own trade, is to be considered a final principle? The new demands of the Budget are having the natural effect on our people. We must find means of providing for fresh requirements, pressing ;daily more hardly upon them. The dime has surely come for a tariff policy which wall -promote British trade welfare, instead of a Budget -policy which would surrender our interest- and our security to foreign rivals. It would be better to abolish Cobdenism, and not the constitution. Pull down free .imports and foreign privileges in our market, and not the second chamber, •whose only offence is giving the na.tion a chance to speak for itself. Let .the workers defend their work and .-stand by the peers, who in the present .case are standing by them. If the : issue of tariff reform were submitted by •itself there would be no doubt what-..-ever of the reply.” Unionist newspapers emphasise the clearness and vigor of Mr Chamberlain’s manifesto.

SOME NOTABLE ELECTION SPEECHES. £ (Received December 19, sjo p.m.) LONDON, Dec. 18. Mr. Lloyd-George, speaking at Wal-:-mer, said that since the Budget had ■been introduced trade had steadily improved, the number of unemployed had steadily declined, and imports and exports had risen. The rejection of the Budget was the result of a- conspiracy between the great manufacturers and landlords, in order to increase the formers’ profits and the latters’ rents. He added: “The cloud is now lifting from the lowly humble homes of the people. A -fine day is coming. We now have the highest wages and -the cheapest conditions of life in Euro_pe.” Mr. John Burns, speaking at Batvtersea, sai*l that the Government must -complete their pensions schemes, and -wanted three millions sterling more vfor 277,000 people now disqualified as .paupers. Lord Milner, speaking at Huddersfield, declared that the man in the street was as cool as a cucumber regarding the Lords. ■Lord Curzon, addressing 3500 people at Derby, said that tariff reform would enable the nation to exact substantial tribute from the foreigner. "The movement had progressed greatly ; amongst the intellectual classes, manufacturers, and workers.. If the Unionists were returned, to power, they •would be able to easily produce a Budget and construct a tariff which would begin by imposing a uniform duty on foreign manufactures- with preference to colonial and Indian produce. He declared that -Home Rule was more dangerous now than formerly, because if the Liberals were returned the House of Lords, the last harrier against ..disintegration, would be overthrown.