The Irish standard. [volume] (Minneapolis, Minn. ;) 1886-1920, 1910-01-01
THE CHANCELLOR OF THE EXCAEQUER
on THE BRITISH HOUSE OF LORDS
Speech Delivered by Lloyd George Luncheon Given His
Honor in London by the National Liberal Club After the
REJECTION Of His Budget by the Peers---He Calls Them
IAN Effete Oligarchy." y

A few days after the rejection Of the
Budget by the peers, its author, Mr..
Lloyd George, M. p, was rendered a
banquet by the National Liberal club
in London. In responding to the toast
Of his health, he said in part:
The momentous event of last Tues
day has closed one chapter in the his
tory Of this country--a chapter which
opened over seventy years ago with a
bright CLEAN of hope for the people OF
this country. Much Of that hope has
been realized, but perhaps most of it
has shaded into the gloom Of disap-
pointment. A new chapter is now be-
ing written (cheers), equally full of
hope, but with q, better prospect of
realization (renewed cheers). For the
sinister assembly which is more re-
sponsible, than any other power for
wrecking popular hopes has, in my
Judgment, perpetrated It's last act of
destructive fury (cheers). They have
slain the Budget. In doing so they
have killed the bill which, if you will
permit me to say so, had in it more
promise Of better things for the people
Of this country than most bills that
have been submitted to the House Of
-ees;vmShuns; Iranade provision against
the inevitable evils which befall such
large masses Of our poor population
their old age, inf1rmity, sickness, and
unemployment Schemes of which it
judgment, If they had been allowed to
fructify, have eliminated at least hunger
from the terrors that haunt the work.
mans cottage (cheers). And yet you
have an order of men, blessed with ev-
cry fortune which Providence can be-
stow on them, grudging q small pit
tance out Of their super-abundance in
order to protect those who have built
up their wealth (cheers), against the
haunting terrors Of misery and despair.
They have thrown 1t out, and in doing
so they have initiated one of the great
est, gravcst, and most promising strug-
giles Of the time (cheers).
Liberty owes as much to the fool
hardness Of it's foes as 1t does to the
sapience and wisdom of it's friends
better illustration Of that than this in
cident here. For years, for genera
tions Liberal statesmen have striver
to bring to an issue these great forces
Their bills were mutilated, torn, and
devitalised by this machine, and they
were never able to bring the cause tt
any sort Of decision. 1t has been done
at, last, and am proud that have hat
=, q small share in 1t (oheers, and &
voice. "A big share!"). At last The
cause between the peers and the pco'
pie has been set down for trial in thu
great assize of the people. and the yer
dict will soon come. The assembl!
which has delayed, denied. and mutilat
ed justice so long has at last beer
brought to justice (cheers).
J Proceeding, Mr.. Lloyd George sait
they were now on the eve of a gen
, eral election, which would decide thi
great question. There might be tn
, Usual attempt to divert the attention O
, the jury by turning their minds to sucl
, irrelevant questions as protection
) When hard pressed the Tory party ha'
I always resorted to protection. The,
would try again. 1t would fail. 1T i
, not that we are afraid Of them" tn
Chancellor continued. 1T raises In
very clear way the issue which we vii
). be delighted to get the mind Of tn
country upon-whether the money 70
I the service Of the country is to b
Y raised by taxing the unearned incre
E ment on land and by taxing luxuriet
or by taxing the bread and meat OF tn
people Ooud cheers). The land question
will be raised (cheers). But, after al
there will be one great dominant ques
, tion submitted to the electors-on
that will absorb all others. What i
that? "a voice: "The House o
= Lords. y That's it, (laughter) tn
: question which was put by the Prin
Minister in his great speech yester
. day Qoud and prolonged cheers). w
are told that this great nation wit
IS j