New-York tribune., 1909-12-11
Mr.. .4SQUITH DEFINES
PARTY ISSUES.
Sharp attack on Lords-Mr.
BGlfow Fails TO Empha-
size Tariff Reform.


country. He repeated what had been
sid by other ministers-that If IL were
returned 10 power the government would
demand the limitation Of the power Of
the House of Lords. and then went a
step further and pledged the Liberal
marty - grant self government 10 Ire
land
The meeting was marked by the great
sst ~ enthusiasm by an audience which
fIled the vast hall and greeted Mr.. AS
ouith and the ministers who accom-
ranied him with round after round Of
cheering. The audience was composed
entirely Of men, admission having been
denied 70 women in the fear that there
might be counter-demonstration by suf-
frsgettes Every corner of the hall had
been searched during the day for women,
snd q small band Of them was routed
out: but they manged 10 get two male
supporters into the meeting. who inter-
rupted Mr. Asquith momentarily with
cries of Votes for women," Then they
were promptly elected.
Mr Asquith was not alone i'm giving
70 the people their first real touch Of the
csmpslgn. for Arthur J. Balfour, the
leader Il the Opposition in the House Of
Commons made a simultaneous plea to
them IN a quiet, dignifled election mani
festo addressed 10 the electors OF the
City Of London who have chosen him as
their candidate.
NULLIFICATION OF REFORMS.
Mr. Asquith in his speech pointed out
Campbell Bannerman, then Prime Min
sister. had outlined in Albert Hall the
policy Of a new liberal government,
which included many reforms. The rep
rssentatives OF the people in the House
~ Commons had labored faithfully to
carry into law the measures promised.
hut their viii had been nullified, and as
r hitting climax the supplies which the
House Of Commons had voted had been
stepped upon by the House Of Lords.
Therefore. the House of Commons was
now on the eve OF another dissolution.
snd IL had fallen 10 his lot 10 take up
ihe burden. The last time. he said. the
government had reckoned without their
host, bur "a was not going 10 make that
mistake again.
Il tell you. in the name and on be-
hslf Of the Liberal party" Mr.. Asquith
proceeded, I'VE have at this moment
laid upon us a single task-a task which
dominates and transcends because il en-
braces and involves every great and
henefcent social and political achange
urou which our hearts are set. That
task is TO vindicate and establish upon
.fr,1.a
of representative government"
Referring 10 the education and licens-
irg bills the Premier said that the gov
erument stood, in the main. on the prin-
oples Of the bills which the House of
Lords rejected. The franchise law, he
added. was still encumbered with arti-
ncisl distinction and impediment for
which there was no justification. Re-
Enrding the topic Of woman suffrage.
Mr Asouith said his views were well
known. ana ne had no reason to alter
them despite the suicidal excesses of a
small section Of the advocates for such
change.
RIGHTS OF IRELAND DEFINED
After referring TO the action Of the
House ~ Lords in regard 10 the matter
~ Welsh religious quality and the fate
~ certain Scottish land bills Mr.. Asquith
turned his attention TO Ireland which,
he said. had been fortunate for once, be-
cause the measures sent up in her be-
half did not come violently athwart the
prcJudices Of the House Of Lords.
Speaking last year before my access
sion 10 she Premiership" Mr.. Asquitl
continued, Il described the Irish policy
as the one undeniable failure Of British
statesmsnship. I repeat tonight what
said then. ana on behalf OF my col
leagues. and. i believe, on behalf Of my
party. ] reiterate that this is a problem
10 be solved only in one way-by a pol
Icy which. while explicitly safeguarding
the supreme. indivisibie authority of the
Imperial Parliament. can set up in Ire
land a system OF full self-government as
regards purely Irish affairs. There is
not and cannot be, any question Of sep
aIation. There Is not, and cannot be.
any question Of rivalry or competing for
supremacy subject 10 these conditions.
That is the Liberal policy. For reasons
which We believe TO have been adequate
ihe present Parliament was disabled in
advance from proposing any such sOlu-
lion. but ia the new house the Liberal
government IT the head Of a Liberal ma
Jority VIII be IN this matter entirely
free"
DENCNCIATION OF LORDS
Mr Asquith defended the budget as
necessary 10 social reform. and in this
respect old age pensions were the first
s'er The budget, he continued, had
been thrown out by the House OF Lords
sfter weeks OF debate. and the govern
nent ss a result was confronted with
Three constitutional innoyations-irst.
ihe claim of the House of Lords 20 con-
"ol IN levying taxation: second. the
claim of tho same house 10 the right TO
compel dissolution of the popular cham
Ter and third, the assertion OF the
House ~ Lords Of their power 10 make
ana unmske the executive government Of
the crown.
What has been done" said Mr.. As
a1ith. may be done again. IL becomes
GUY nrst duty 20 make its recurrence i'm
possible. We shall therefore. demand
authority from the electorate 10 trans
hte an ancient, unNTiiten usage into an
act OF Parliament and 10 place upon The