IMPERIAL POLITICS.

Gisborne Times, Volume XXVIII, Issue 2741, 21 February 1910, Page 5

IMPERIAL POLITICS.

THE NEW CRISIS

United Press association—Copyright ' LON,DON, Feb. 18.

Mr Barnes’ statement. is the more noteworthy after Mr Keir Hardie’s recent declaration that the Labor party would support the Government whatever course it takes in connection with the Budget and veto. Tho “Morning Leader” declares that it is now clear that Mr Asquith cannot remain in office unless he tells the King plainly that the whole of his composite party require the veto as the immediate issue.

The new crisis is due to a statement circulated in the lobbies that Mr Asquith intended to explain to the House ■of Commons on Monday that the word “safeguards” in the Albert Hall speech referred solely to legislation.

The “Manchester Guardian” states that unless the difficulty is removed the Government <will be'forced to choose between resignation and retaining office on the basis of Unionist support. This would not he less calamitous than a direct defeat. The Liberals’ elections in the north of England were fought upon Mr Asquith’s Albert Hall declaration.

It is reported that Messrs O’Brien and Healy will insist on diyiding the .House of Commons upon every item touching Ireland’s increased taxation. Lord Newton has given notice for a debate on an early day on Lord liesotery’s committee’s proposal.

PRESS COMMENTS ON THE SITUATION.

The “Freeman's Journal” says there is every probability of a general election in six weeks or two months. The “Chronicle” blames Ministers, who cannot constitutionally give the King the advice which Mr Barnes suggests. The “Globe” says that Mr Asquith may surrender to the party of revolution or appeal, to the patriotism of Unionists to extricate him.

FURTHER ISSUE OF TREASURY BILLS. (Received February 20, 5 p.m.) LONDON, Feb. 19. The Treasury is issuing four millions sterling of bills, payable in a month. Recent issues have been nine millions at one month and five and a-half millions at two months.

KEIR HARDIE’S VIEWS. Mr. Keir Hardie, interviewed at Cumnock, said that he -had had an impression that recent guarantees concerning the House of Lords had been obtained, inasmuch as Mr. Asquith had previously declared that otherwise lie would not assume office. This impression was strengthened when the Cabinet. vacancies wore filled. He learned on Thursday that the House of Commons was to be asked to pass the Budget first and trust to luck in dealing with the House of Lords. This, besides being bad policy, was a breach of faith with the country on Mr. Asquith’s part. Mr. Keir Hardie argued that a resolution onbodying the principles of a Y eto Bill would suffice to make the Commons in passing the Budget independent of the Lords’ acceptance of the resolutions.

A MINISTERIAL BOAST. Air. Herbert Samuel, PostmasterGeneral, speaking at the Eighty Club's dinner, .said that the Government’s action, regarding the Lords would be swift, courageous, and decisive.

RADICAL NEWSPAPER’S REVIEW

OF THE POSITION

The ‘‘Daily Chronicle” says that the dominating feature of the situation is that nobody wants a dissolution. L Mr. .Balfour defeats the Government lie must introduce a Budget and immediately dissolve. If Mr. Redmond forces a defeat of the Government, and brings on a general election, lie will lose seats to the O’Brienites. If the Lafoorites join Mr. Redmond they will not improve their position in the country. The “Chronicle” believes that everybody will -prove more reasonable next week than now appears.

MX UNUSUAL ACTION. The Master of Elibank will issue a whip -for business on Monday, adding that an important division is possible before the debate on the Address-in-Rcply is readied- This action is unusual and unexplained.

A VERY PERTINENT COMMENT. The “Times” says that if Mr. Keir Hardie’s motion that supplies can be refused until the King consents to compel the House of Lords to commit suicide, is the idea of constitutional politics entertained by the Socialist members of the House of Commons, then .the crisis has rendered a public •service by bringing it to light.

A VOICE EROM IRELAND. The Dublin Chamber of Commerce has condemned the reintroduction of -the Budget as imposing on Ireland undue taxation.

ALL PARTIES IN A PIN. Sir MV. L. Robson, Attorney-General, speaking at Newcastle, replying to the criticism that the Government is in a cleft stick, asked, “Which party is not in a cleft stick?” He proceeded to discuss Mr. Balfour’s difficulties if the 'Government resigned and Mr. Balfour -was summoned to take office. He con-