IMPERIAL POLITICS.

Gisborne Times, Volume XXVII, Issue 2698, 31 December 1909, Page 6

IMPERIAL POLITICS.

THE GOVERNMENT OR THE LORDS. r | | United Press Association —Gopthioiit. P / LONDON, Dec. 2;9. Sir Edward Grey, speaking at Sjalisjf bury, declared' that the people jhad M before them a vote of confidence, P must decide whether they would give it to the Government or the Lords. J He : did not believe democracy would confer upon the Lords greater power ilian they had ever claimed in recent years. Mr. R. Barry, Attorney-General; for Ireland, states that if the Liberals are successful at the elections Home IRule must be granted in a few years. | In the course of a speech at (I ml iff Lord Milner made the suggestion that the recommendations of Lord RcJebery that a committee be set up to dep with the reform of the House of Lord j ie included as part of the Unionii programme. Lord Beresford, speaking at; Portsmouth, complained that the j overnment had not replied to Mr Milliner’s allegations. He added: ‘ThtJ e are several scandals as'bad in black and white, and we will publish:,, them if forced to do so.” j MANIFESTO BY JOSEPH CHAMBERLAIN. . FIRST POLLINGS ON JANUARY 15. It is officially, announced that the Avrits will be issued on January 10th, and will he returnable for urcontested seats on the 14th. The firs'- borough pollings will take place on* Saturday, January loth, and country pollings on Wednesdaythe 19th. It is expected that all the elections will be | rinpleted by February Ist. The pew register contains if..k following numbers of voters: .England %221,722 / , /Wales 785,520 . , Scotland 098,787 !'lreland (boroughs) ... 3,002,873 Ireland (country) ... 4,654,690 j [The figures are given as cabled, but ~ ,-Uhere is obviously something at fault V with those for Ireland, Avhose total J i: ‘population is barely 4,500,000. Some J of the figures are presumably transpos- |; hd.] f*. Analysis of the electorates shows that ' the voters are made up a s follows: Property owners ... 640,882 "Occupiers - 8,717,059. Lodgers 275,648 Freemen 23,974 Universities 48,154 The “Daily Mail” and “Standard” accuse the Government of sharp tactics in allowing it to be announced that the writ s would be issued on January Bth, and then suddenly altering the date at a moment’s notice. Radical interests will doubtless be forwarded by this * move, hut the Conservatives' will have ; wasted much on useless printing and the for election eve meetings. The Saturday polling will suit artisan voters, but the sDiall shopkeepers will bo busy. \ (Received December 30, 9.10 p.m.) LONDON, Dec. 30. A Mr. Joseph Chamberlain’s manifesto to his constituents stated, firstly, that the Budget taxes'unequally equal men, and throws the Avhole burden upon the people of the United Kingdom, Avithout attempting to secure any contribution from foreigners. Secondly, that the time is ripe for a tariff representing a method more suited to our circumstances than a system repudiated pj- all foreign countries, equally AA’ith /"our oversea kinsmen. Thirdly, Ave have noAv the opportunity of securing more ' largely the trade of the sister States. It means that reciprocity is equally advantageous to them as to’us. Dealing Avith Home Rule, Mr. Chamberlain says that if the Liberals are returned to power the danger to Britain. Avill be all the graver, as we are noAv threatened’ by foreign nations as Ave never Avere before. Mr. Asquith’s promise, for the sake of the Nationalist- vote, was not at the instigation of any English party. The danger is so great and urgent, even if it stood alone, that everyone caring for . the British name ought, for the third time, to render the conspiracy impossible. Preparation for defence is no longer adequate to the nation’s need. Owing to the present Government’s neglect, it Avill be long before Britain occupies the place of security held four years ago, but nothing can justify leaving ourselves itt our present unguarded condition. (Received December 30, 11.55 p.m.) Mr. Chamberlain concluded : “You have to decide whether you wish to be governed by one Chamber or two, Avhether to destroy or to maintain the Union. Between the other alternatives mentioned, I am confident that you, in common Avith the majority of your countrymen, Avill choose the path of national progress and Imperial union.