, 1910-02-26
81. CROIN STATIO7

81. CltOIN STATION.
London, Feb. 23rd- The Nationalists have
resolved that the constitutional struggle
being supremely important and being con
vinced that the primary business Of parlia-
ment is to execute the mandate Of the cleo
tions and remit the Lords veto over pro-
gresssiye legislation, therefore the party de-
eides it will not cOmplicate that great issue
by moving an amendment to the address or
by voting during the present session. This
is construed that the Nati0nalists have rem
dered judgment against The Government
but have postponed execution, that is to say,
the Nationalists are DESTROYS the Government
should survive, because Home kuIe would
die with Mr.. AsQulth's government, and for
the Nationalist Home Rule is the sole stake.
Mr.. Balfour, in an address to the new
Unionist members of the House Of Commons
at the Constitutional Cub, said he will not
propose unnecessary difficulties regarding
finance, but be will not compromise differ
ence8 of principles between parties, for ex-
ample vital differences regarding the budget
and veto reform. .
In the House of Commons yesterday Mr..
Barnes said the Labourites were in favour
of Home Rule. The Government should in-
troduce a veto reform bill forthwith, before
the budget was passed, without a prelimina-
ry resolution, and the LabOurites want an
assurance that the second budget will
be postponed only to veto reform, no
thing else intervening. This is regarded
as a colourless imitation Of Mr.. Redmond's
declaration.
Mr.. O'Brien said that the only thing the
present House of Commons should do is to
commit suicide he denounced the passage
of the budget as being more dangerous to
Home Rule than the Lords veto.
Mr.. Churchill said the Cabinet stakes its
existence upon the passage of the veto bill,
which is TO be introduced at the earliest
moment. No responsible member will recon-
mend the House of Commons to withhold
supplies. Any attempt to force a constitutions
al change in that manner would expose the
country TO a catastrophe. The ministry would
regard the rejection Of the budget as a
mortal blow, it regards the budget as second
only to veto reform, and moreover the re-
lection Of the budget would be equivalent to
a justification of the Lords action. If he con-
tinued, a crisis were necessary it could not
come too soon, and the Governments policy
will facilitate a decision forthwith (cheers); a
more precise policy was impracticable
until the premier commanded a decisive
reliable majority, the Commons must lie
patient regarding formulation of policy,
relying when produced upon their entire
strength being exerted for its enactment.
He asked for majorities on the address and
for supply adequate to support this pro-
gramme'
Mr.. Churchill's speech embodied the de-
cisions Of a prolonged Cabinet council held
before the House Of Commons met.
Mr., Keir Hardie protested against reform
of the HOuSn of Lords It's eyiStence he said
was an insult to the democracy, but the La
bourites will support the government as the
n xt best thing 20 their own preference.
Sir. James Dalziel expressed the views of
the extremists, who prefer precedence for the
veto, including Sir. Charles Dixie and Mr..
Belloc.