IMPERIAL POLITICS.

Gisborne Times, Volume XXVIII, Issue 2715, 21 January 1910, Page 5

IMPERIAL POLITICS.

THE BRITISH ELECTIONS. TiHE GOVERNMENT AND' HOME RULE. . United Press Association—Copyright. LONDON, Jan. 19. Mr. J. A. Pease, Government AY hip, .in a speech, said that Mr, Asquith, in his Albert Hall speech, gave no pledge ■ that Home Rule would be given to Ire- . land. What lie said was that the ban which the /Liberals imposed upon themselves at last election had been removed, and the Liberals were free if they desired to extend self-government to Ireland, but everyone in the Government was pledged not to give the Irish an Independent Parliament, but selfgovernment consistent with union. CONSTERNATION AMONGST NATIONALISTS. The “Times’ ” Dublin correspondent says that Air. Pease’s statement created consternation among the Nationalists. The elections were being fought in Ireland on the question of Home Rule, and it is assumed that Air. Asquith, after Saturday’s pollings, expected a 'majority independent of the Nationalists’ vote, and directed the AYhip to disown the Albert Hall undertaking. “A DIRTY TRICK.” The “Times” added: “Air. Pease explains, but only when the borough elections are nearly over. Air. Asquith really meant nothing in particular at Albert Hall. The country elections, wherein the Irish vote is insignificant, are beginning, and the Liberals hope to profit by the repudiation of an intention whereon they have hitherto been trading. Air. Harcourt’s expression, ‘a dirty trick,’ fittingly describes, the manoeuvre. What is now meant is that a Home Rule Bill will only be introduced if it serves a party purpose.” LLOYD-GEORGE’iS AYARNING TO LORDS. Air. Lloyd-George, in a speech, declared that it must be made perfectly clear that if the House of Lords rejected a Bill sent up a second time it would he sent straight through to the throne. At Air. Lloyd-Goorge’s meeting at Newtown 1388 Alontgomery Hill old age pensioners mounted the platform and expressed gratitude for the benefits conferred. Air. Haldane is recovering from his illness, but is still unable to engage in election work. Alembers of the Tariff Reform Workers’ League chartered a number of motor ’buses, and are perambulating the country districts with specimens of dumped goods. GERAIANY APPREiHENiSJAYE OF TARIFF REPRISALS. Unionist papers contain cablegrams showing the anxiety of Berlin and Hamburg merchants respecting tariff reform, which it was expected would change the condition of German trade. Other papers rejoice that the prospect of frectrado is undisturbed. One paper expresses delight at Mr. Chiozza Aloney’s defeat, adding: “His references to black bread and sausages made him the laughing stock of Germany.” NAVAL CRITIC POPULAR. ;Six hundred telegrams of congratulation have been received 'by Lord Charles Beresford. THE PREMIER’S OPINION—FIRST SETTLE AVITH THE LORDS. (Received January 20, 10.35 p.m.) LONDON, Jan. 20./ Air. Asquith, in a speech at Fife, ■declined to proanise legislation of any kind till he had settled conclusionswith the Lords. That permanent obstacle, he said,'must be removed. Till that was done it was no use talking about legislation. The Liberal party were free to support any measures giv. ing Ireland self-government in purely Irish affairs, subject to the unimpaired supremacy of the Imperial Parliament, but he was not prepared to give a pledge respecting the House of Lords’ judgment preventing Labor Unions from using their funds for the payment of Labor members. He would consider the subject. WINSTON CHURCHILL AY ANTS A STRONG INDEPENDENT GOVERNMENT. 4 \ '■ Writing to several candidates, Air. Winston Churchill urged the electorates to return a strong independent Government.. A SKETCH OF THE CHANCELLOR. A correspondent of the London Daily News tells us that while the fate of the Budget was being decided, Mr. LloydGeorge sat quietly in a. Strand restaurant enjoying bis dinner, evidently little worried by the great historic event- with -which his name will always be associated The Chancellor’s face, which represents every changing emotion, was, the enthusiastic correspondent declares, a delightful study, at one time, cigar in hand, emphasising every point with his uplifted forefinger or by gentle taps on the table. “Sometimes the whole hand was raised: at other times, in sombre thoughtfulness,, it caressed his moustache. Then, all at once, the eyes sparkled, and’ the merry laugh rippled ■forth, showing two deeply-marked parallel lines at each corner of the mouth. But it was his vanning smile that chiellv attracted me. It drew me towards him as by a magnet. Lloyd-George is a thorough Celt. Never for a moment is he at rest. All the moods of human nature —and he is very human from «rave to gay alternately, chase them-

CABLE NEWS. .

selves across his features. The 1 band plays a. pathetic little tune. He is silent at once, Conversation, with his companion ceases. He is Avrapped in ocstacy. He is dreaming. Yes, LloydGeorge is a- sentimentalist, a A r ery softhearted ‘demagogue.’ I see his faraway look roam over the room. But he is i not looking. He does not see. You know that look; it touches you. It inspires you. It gi\ r es you a glance deep doAvn into that soul Avhere- ferments a passionate love of humanity inspired and nurtured amongst his native AVelsh hills.” ELECTION RESULTS. ELECTED UNOPPOSED. The following have been re-elected unopposed:— Kilkenny North.—• Michael Meagher* Nationalist. Antrim East.—Colonel James McCalmont, Conservative. Kerry AV-est. —T. O’Donnell, Nationalist. - . Cork County. South. —-Edward Barry, Nationalist. Tipperary North.—*Jtl. Hogan, Nationalist. Cork County, East.—A. J. C. Donclan, Nationalist. Wexford South.—Peter Ffrenoh, Nationalist. Leitrim South.—Thomas Smith. Nationalist. Clare AVest.—Lynch, Nationalist. Sligo South.—John O’Dowd, Nationalist. Longford North. —J. F. Farrell, Nationalist. Alayo West.—Doris (?), Nationalist. (Received January 20, 10.35 p.m.) LONDON, Jan. 20. The following have been re-elected unopposed: —Cavan East.— S. Young, Nationalist. —-Kildare South. — D. Kilbride, Nationalist. LATEST POLLINGS. The following are additional results: —Soutlnvark, Rotherhitha Division. — *li. W. OaVr-Gomm, Liberal, 4474. Pownall, Conservative, 350 (?). No change. —Cork City (tAvo members). — *William O’Brien, Independent, 4535. *A. Roche, Nationalist, 4438. Alaurice Healey, Independent Nationalist, 4229. Alurphy, Nationalist, Fitzgerald, Independent Nationalist, 2061. No change. (Received January 20, 10.35 p.m.) LONDON, Jan. 20. The folloAving are further contest resAilts: —Flint Boroughs.— Summers, Liberal, 2150. Tilby, Unionist, 1723, No change. —Cardiff. — Thomas, Liberal, 13,207. Stuart, Unionist, 11,652. No change. —Birkenhead.— *H. Vivian, Liberal, 8120. Bigland, Unionist, 7976. No change. -—Hawick. — *R. H. Barran, Liberal, 3261. Graham,, Unionist, 2268. No Change. —iGreenock. — Collins, Liberal, 4233. Smith, Unionist, 2632. No change. —GlasgoAV, BridgetoAvn Division. — *J. W. Cleland, Liberal, 5336. Lang, Unionist, 3539. No change. —GlasgoAV, Camlacliie Division.— Maclnder, Unionist, 3229. *A. Cross, Liberal, 2443. No change. —Glasgow, St. Rollox Division.*T. M. AVood, Liberal, 10,019. Cliamberlayne, Unionist, 6821., No change. —Glasgow Central. — Dickson, Unionist, 6713. Murison, Liberal, 6058. No change. —Glasgow, College.— ' *H. A. Watt, Liberal, 6025. Sir J. Stirling Maxwell, Unionist, 5823. No change. —Glasgow, Tradeston Division. — *A. C. Corbett, Independent Liberal, 2966. . Alain, Unionist, 2773. D. M. Mason, Liberal, 2673. No change. —Glasgow, Blackfriars Division. — *G. N. Barnes, Labor, 4496. Constable, Unionist, 2796. No change, —Aliddlesex, Ealing Division.— *H. Nield, Unionist, 12,916. Hulbert, Liberal, 8210. No change. —Middlesex, Hornsey Division.— *Lord Ronaldshav, Unionist, 12,014. Dum/mett, Liberal, 8633. No change. —D e-ptf ord. — *C. W. -Bovorman, Liberal and Labor, 6880. Coates, Unionist, 6358. No change. —South Hackney.— *H. AV. Bottomlev, Liberal, 7290. Wertheimer, Unionist, 4304. No change. —Central .Hackney.— *A. Spicer, Liberal, 3429. Cassel, Unionist, 3353. No change. —North Hackney.— Green, Unionist, 5620. *T. Hart Davies, Liberal, 4773. Unionist gain. —Denbigh Boroughs.— Gore, Unionist, 2438. *C. Edivards, Liberal, 2430. Unionist gain. —Lancashire, Middleton Division.— *AV. R. D. Adkins, Liberal, 7869. Rose Innes, Unionist, 6266. No change. —-Lancashire, Stretford Division. — *H. Nuttall, Liberal, 12,917. Samuel, Unionist, 10,626. No chapoje. —Lancashire, Accrington Division. — Baker, Liberal, 8965. Jessel, Unionist, 6455. No change. ... —Yorkshire, Elland Division.— *C. P. Trevelyan. Liberal, 7489; Ramsden, Unionist, 4686. No change. —Yorkshire, Otley Division. — *.J. H. Duncan, Liberal, 6911. W. Thompson, Unionist, 5100. No changs.

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—Carmarthen. — *AV. L. Williams, Liberal, 4197. Tivei-ton, Unionist, 1965. No change. —Pembroke and Harverford. — *O. C. Phillips, Liberal, 3582. Armstrong, Unionist, 2877. No change. —Nottingham AVest. — •J. H. Yoxall, Liberal, 8955. Lygon, Unionist, 6652. , "No change. —Nottingham East. — Alorrison, Unionist, 5877. *Sir H. T. S. Cotton, Liberal, 5725. Unionist gain. —Nottingham South.— Lord H. C. Bentindk, Unionist, 6434 *A. Richardson, Labor, 6052. Unionist gain. —Leicestershire, Melton District.— *H. de R. AValker, Liberal, 7748. Yate, Unionist, 7625. No change. —Monmouth.— *L. Haslam, Liberal, 6496. Cayzer, Unionist, 5351. No change. SUMMARY OE RESULTS. The returns published this morning concern 48 seats, of which the Liberals have obtained 22, the Unionists 9, the Labor party 2, and the Nationalists 15. Five of the seats gained by Unionists Avere- captured from the Liberals. The totals of the various parties up to date are:— Unionists 128 Liberals 118 Laborites ... ... 23 Nationalists 44 Total number of seats 313 The Liberals and Laborites combined number’ 141, or 13 more than the Unionists. If the 44 Irish A'otes be added to the Liberal-Labor combination the total is 185, a majority of 57 over the Unionists. A feAV days ago it Avas stated that the Unionists had secured a candidate for every seat except Kirkcaldy Burghs. There Avero sixteen seats for Avhirih the Liberals had no candidate, Avliile the Labor party Avas ready to 'contest 76 seats, and triangular fights were threatened in 54 electorates. There aa-e 670 members in the House of Commons, all told. Of these 103 represent Irish constituencies, and are omitted from the foregoing list. The English, Scottish, and AVelsh representation is as follows: Members. England ... , ... ... 461 Scotland 72 Wales 34 Total 567 The party candidates for the respective constituencies, according to the above figures are as follow: Alembers. Unionists ... ••• 566 Liberals ... 551 Labor ... ... ... 76 The approximate state of parties in the House of Commons at the time of dissolution -Was: Alembers. Liberals ... ... ... 367 Unionists ... ... ... 166 Nationalists ... ... 83 Labor ... ... ... 54 Total ... ... ... 670 THE LORDS’ POWER OF REJECTION. The principle of passing a disputed measure within the life-time of the Parliament Avas affirmed in the following motion passed by the House of Commons on the motion of the late Prime Minister, Sir Henry Campbell-Banner-man : “That in order to give effect to the Avill of the people, as expressed by their elected representatives, it is necessary that the power of the other House to alter or reject Bills passed by this House should be so restricted by IaAV as to secure that Avitkin the limit of a single Parliament the final decision of the Commons shall prevail.” The present Asquith Government probably adhere to this expression of principle,, but there are indications that they are not unanimous as to the method of its application. Sir Henry (/ipbell-Bannerman proposed a scheme of conferences, Avith compulsion in the background. It may be summed up as foIIoAVS: —First Conference.— (1) In case of disagreement between the tAvo Houses, a conference to take place betAveeii an equal number of nominated representatives of Lords and Commons. (2) The conference Avill be “of small dimensions”—probably tAvelve .Commoners' and twelve Peers. It Avill sit in private, and its object- Avill be to seek for a “common measure of agreement.” If a compromise is reached, the particular Bill that is the subject of the conference will be caved. ' (3) In the event of continuous) disagreement, the Bill in question would be doomed—for a season. But- it is proposed that the same Bill may be reintroduced at the discretion of the Government “after a substantial interval”—by Avlhich is meant a- minimum period of six months. —Second Conference.—• (1) The reintroduced. Bill Avould be passed through the House of Commons rapidly “under limitations of time adapted to the requirements of the case.” It would then go to the Lords, Avho would have a fresh opportunity of considering it. (2) Should the Lords Be still recalcitrant, there will bo a second conference betAveen nominated delegates from the two Houses. (3) In the event of the second confer, ence, proving abortive, the Bill Avill be reintroduced into the House of Commons a third time and “passed sAviftly” through all its stages in the form last agreed upon. (4) After this it will be sent to the Lords with the intimation that- unless passed in that form it Avill be carried into Lt-av “over their heads” —that is, it Avould become Taw by virtue of. the Crown and Commons acting in conjunction, and without the assent of the Peers. —Third Conference.— (1) To aA r ert the necessity for resorting to this course, there Avill be opportunity for a third, conference, and only on its -failure will the measure pass Avitbout the concurrence of the Peers. (2) “To prevent arbitrary action by an effete- Government,” it is proposed to shorten the duration of Parliaments, making their term, of life five years instead of seven years. ,