BRITISH PARLIAMENT

Dominion, Volume 4, Issue 1049, 11 February 1911, Page 5

BRITISH PARLIAMENT

ADDRESS=IiN=REPLY. CONTINUATION OF THE DEBATE. RECIPROCITY AGREEMENT. THE FISCAL AMENDMENT REJECTED. By Telegraph-Press AssorfaUon-CopyrleUt. London, February 9. Mr. Asquith, during tho Addrcss-in-Reply debate, taunted Mr. Balfour, Leader of tho Opposition, with inaction with regard to colonial preference after Mr. Chamberlain's campaign in 1903. Several Ministerialists, amid vigorous Opposition protests, declared that tho debate on Mr. Chamberlain's amendment would causo mischievous reaction in Canada, as Mr. Chamberlain's speech had implied consurc on Canadian statesmen. ■ . , ' Sir Gilbert Parker, Conservative mombor for Gravcsend, and a Canadian by birth, said ho believed the Canadian peoplo welcomed discussion. (Rec. February 10, 11.35 p.m.) .'. . ' London, February 10. In the House of Commons, Mr. Lyttolton declared that colonial Ministers would have'an easier task in asking taxation for naval purposes if they could show that tho ships wero destined to protect »trado fostered •by mutual preference. . Mr. Asquith said the United States did not "placo tho samo interpretation on the most-favouredination'clauses'as Britain. British goods, wero not as a matter of treaty right entitled to enter America on tho samo favourable terms as Canadian. Nevertheless tho Canadians at present have so small a sharo in tho trade in manufactured articles affected ,by tho agreement' that the probability. of Canada competing with Britain was infinitesimal. Ho denounced tho present incurablo sloppincss which characterised the Tariff Reform agitation from its inception. Protection was not dead, but ho bclioved they_ wero about to celebrate the obsequies of Imperial preference, which was ono of tho' greatest, political impostures of modern times. . .'Mr. Balfour objected to tho accusation of imposturo against Sir Wilfrid Laurier and other colonial statesmen/Tho fiscal' amendment was rejected, tho voting being as follows:— Against 324 For ....'...'...... 222 Majority against 102 , STATEMENT BY A CANADIAN MINISTER. THE BIG DRUM OF IMPERIALISM.' (Rec; February 11, 0.35 a.m.) Ottawa, February ,10., Commenting on the reciprocity do-, bato in tho .Houso of Commons, Mr. Fielding, tho Canadian Minister for Finance, said tho opponents of tho agreement wero beating tho big drum of Imperialism in order to secure selfish ends. Thcro was nothing now in tho agreement, which was moroly built on the lines of tho Treaty of 1854. ;; UNIONIST ORGANISATION. ;... ." ■ an inquiry.' y,..;';,' ...... '(Rcc. Fobruary lO'i 10.15 p.m.) ; , . London, February 10., Mr. Balfour has nominated Mr. Akers Douglas', Mr. W. •H. Long, Lord Solbourne, and others to inquire into'tho quostion of" Unionist organisation. DECLARATION OF LONDON. .''.'■ NAVAL PRIZE 81LL.,;,; ;:'' ~'• ■i; ■'•' . London, February 9. ; Mri ; Asquith,. replying to questions in tho Houso of Commons, stated that ratification of tho Declaration of London was not a matter for Parliament, but for tho Crown. Tho latter, however, would not ratify it if tho Houso of. Commons voted ndvorsely on the second reading of the Naval Prize Bill, which would not bo dealt with until tho Imperial Conference had discussed the Declaration. -~-'; PAYMENT OF MEMBERS. STATEMENT BY MR. 'ASQUITH. ' London, February 9. Replying to fi deputation from tho Trade Union Congress, tho Prime Min T ister, Mr. Asquith, said ho hoped to introduco a' Payment of Members' Bill during tho present session. At that juncture ho was unablo to mention tho particular figure it would bo proposed to pay. - Ho approved of:each citizen having a vote, and favoured transferable registration. Tho Parliamentary election poriod should bo. shortened, even if ono day was deemed to bo impracticable. Tho nublichouses should closo during the voting. ' • COMPULSORY SERVICE. - London, February 9. Tho Secretary of State for War, Mr. Haldano, informed Major Archer-Shcc, Conservative member for Finsbury Central, .that General Sir lan Hamilton's recent memorandum on tho subject of compulsory service was unofficial—it contained tho general's personal views. Ho added that tho War Office had approved of tho publication of tho memorandum. FOREST OF DEAN SEAT. London, February 9. Tho'Labour,party will not put up',a candidate for the Forest of Dean seat, rendered vacant by tho death of Sir Charles Dilko (Liberal). . THE LABOURERS ACT. London, February 9. Mr. Birrcll, Chief Secretary for Ireland, is introducing a Bill to provide another million under tho Labourers (Ireland) Act of 1906. x

Tho Lnbourors (Ireland) Act makes provision with respect to the application of portion of tho Ireland Development Grant, tho powers conferred by this Act relate to:—1. Tho enlargement of cottages already provi.led under previous Acts. 2. The carrying out of improvement schemes for housa accommodation, and the compulsory purchnso of land for the purpose, under the sanction of the Irish Local Government Board. 3. Tho improvement of insanitary ' dwellings. 4. Advances by county councils of sums for tho purposes of the Act. 5. Assignment of moneys to tha Ixical Government Board for the purpose of the Act. from various sources, of upwards of' .£220.(1(10, and an annual payment up of .£'28,000 out of tho Irish Development Grant. G. Advances nut of (he Irish Land Purchase I'uiul un f<i .£4.250,000 for labourers' cottages and allotments.