IMPERIAL POLITICS.

Gisborne Times, Volume XXVIII, Issue 2747, 28 February 1910, Page 5

IMPERIAL POLITICS.

TO AVOID DEFEAT OF THE GOVERNMENT.

United Press Association—Copyright LONDON, Feb. 25. A candidate Avail .b'e run against Colonel Seeley at (Ilkeston.

Fifty Lancashire Yorkshire, and Cheshire Liberal .members of the House of Commons appointed .a deputation to inform Mr. Asquith of the general interpretation placed on his Albert Hall speech. The “Star,” in a stringent leader, advocates .that any Minister insisting on mixing the veto with the reconstruction 'of the House of Lords he .ejected from the Cabinet. It suggests that the veto be taken first.

Mr Pease, speaking at Rotherham, said that the Government intended after dealing with tlie Budget to submit proposals for the reconstitution of the House of Lords. This statement, coupled with Colonel Seeley’s declaration that the veto and reconstitution were inter-dependent, and the belief that Sir Edward G-rey is preparing a scheme of an elective second chamber, which it .is feared would give .greater power to the Lords, is the mainspring of two Radical deputations already referred to in the cables, with the view of .inducing Mr Asquith .to. drop the subject of reconstitution.

The newspapers emphasise the fact that Lancashire and Yorkshire Radicals and Scottish Liberals, at a meeting, passed resolutions of confidence, in the Government. Sir C’has. Dilke’s extreme Radical group did not adopt that course. The Cabinet is sitting daily. The Nationalists' intend to ipress Mr Benn to pledge himself against reform of the House of Lords, otherwise to oppose his re-election. The Irish vote is large at St. George’s. ■ Unionist newspapers rejoice over the tariff reform vote compared with the figures of last Parliament. Mr Dillon had nearly an hour’s interview 'with Mr Lloyd-George, which is interpreted to moan that the Minister is negotiating some means of avoiding the defeat of the Government.

The Irish League of Britain has declared that it will not support. Government candidates unless, prior to any legislation, .guarantees are sought enabling the Veto Bill to become law in 1910.

ACUTE CRISIS EXPECTED TO DAY

NEWSPAPER OPINIONS

(Received February 27. 5 p.m.) LONDON, Feb. 26

It is expected that- the climax of the Government’s fate will be reached on Monday. The “Standard” says the majority of Mr. Asquith’s followers are already in rebellion.

Tlie “Times” Parliamentary correspondent declares that the predominating view is that the,Cabinet recognises that the country is opposed to a single chamber Government, and considers the abolition of the veto might be deemed (in effect a proposal for a single chamber. The Government and tlie Cabinet -believe that the submission of such a proposal alone would he courting defeat at a general election. Commenting on this, the “Times’' states: “The Government are seeking to hide the virtual abolition of the Lords by wrapping it in the .gnfse of reform. The- attempt to make advocates of reform swallow the veto will prove difficult.” The “Nation” and the “Daily News” favor sending the Lords question to a- referendum.

Dissentient Radicals are determined to make Mr. Dalziel’s amendment the occasion of a demonstration against, the Government. The Redmonites meet on -Monday to decide whether they will support Mr. Dalziel. .; ; It is understood Mr. Balfour is -prepared to give Mr. Asquith some - support for urgent finance.

THE “SPECTATOR”-AND LLOYD-

GEORGE

The “Spectator” says: “It is mostoffensive that the second -Minister of the BritisTr Cabinet should speak of the German people’s food as Mr. LloydGeorge did on Thursday. There is nothing the poor men of all countries would resent more than having their food ridiculed.”

Sir Chas. Dilke presided at a meeting of 30 Radicals. It was resolved that though Mr. Pease’s speech implied a reform of the Lords, anything beyond the limitation of the vet-o would find no large amount of support among the Liberals. • Mr. Asquith informed a deputation of North of England members of the House of Commons that he attached great -weight- to their opinion, 'because the North had saved the situation at the general election. He would lay their views (before the Cabinet. THE HOP INDUSTRY. In the House of 'Commons an amendment advocating a- hop duty m •the interests of the Kentish growers was rejected by 228 votes to 285. The Address-in-Reply was then passed without further discussion.

MR.’ ASQUITH TAKES HIS TROU-

biles to the king

(R-eceived February 28, 12.50 a.in.) LONDON, Feb. 27.

The “Westminster Gazette!’ states that the “Times” Parliamentary correspondent substantially represents the true nature c-f the situation.

Mr. Asquith breakfasted with , the King. A Cabinet meeting of three hours followed. There are many rumors that the Premier informed King

CABLE NEWS.

Edward of' tlie impossibility of proceeding with, the reconstruction of the second' {diamber whilst concentrating his Parliamentary force upon the Lords’ veto.