EMPIRE POLITICS.

Dominion, Volume 6, Issue 1840, 28 August 1913, Page 7

EMPIRE POLITICS.

PARLIAMENTARY TOUR. BRITISH MINISTER IN THE CITY PARTY ARRIVING TO-DAY. Two members of tlio British Parliamentary party now visiting Now Zealand arrived in Wellington yesterday. Tliey wore Lord Emmott, Under-Secre-tary of State for the Colonies, the fiiftt Imperial Minister of the Crown t.u visit this part, of the world, and Mr. Will Crooks, tlio well-known and popular Labour M.P. for Woolwich. I/ml Emmott came through by special tram, and is taking advantage of tlio brief stay of tlio party in Mow Zealand to confer with the Government on matters of Imperial policy, and yesterday had a long interview with tlio l'rimo Minister and Mr. Allen.

Tho other members of tho party aro due in the city by special train from Rotorua at 3 p.m. to-day, and will bo driven straight to tho Town Hall on arrival, where they will bo welcomed at a Mayoral reception. A Government House function will follow in the evening, and to-morrow morning, weather permitting, the party will be taken for a drive to tlio wireless station, oil tlio Tinakori Hills, and on their return the male members of tlio party will bo entertained at luncheon at Bellamy's. Tlio party, with tho exception of Lord and Lady Emmott, will leave to-mor-row evening for Sydney. Lord and Lady Emmott will proceed to Auckland by tho Saturday's express, and take passage for Sydney by tho Monday's steamer. Lord Emmott. Lord Emmott was created first Baron Emmott of Oldham in 1911, and in the same year was appointed Parliamentary Under-Secretary for tho Colonies. The history of the Emmott family of Oldham is one of tho romances of industrial Lancashire. Mr. Emmott's grandfather, who was of Quaker descent, camo to Oldham early in tho Vict'oriaiij fera' comparatively a pooil R.an, and was in tho employ of tho Oldham Gas Company in quito a humble capacity. But lie made use of his leisure and his opportunities to learn tlio details of gas makingj and ho was in duo time entrusted with tlio oversight of tho business, and tho old gentleman lived to see his two grandsons one a member of Parliament and the other married to a sister of the -son-in-law of Queen Victoria. Charles Emmott having married Lady Constance Campbell. Ho trained his son to tlio cotton-spinning business. In tho spinning of cotton and velvet Mr. Alfred Emmott's father built up a great firm, the same that is now known as Emmott ' and Wallshaw (Limited*). Mr. Alfred Emmott was born in 1858, and was educated at Grove ITouso School, Tottenham, and graduated at London University. Ho has served his native town in municipal matters, and is much beloved by the workpeople under him for his just administration of tlio great, business which ho shares in controlling. He was elected to Parliament at tho by-election in July, 1809, on tho death of Mr. Robert Ashcroft and tho resignation of Mr. J. l'\ Oswald, both Conservatives. This double by-election was remarkable as tho occasion on which both seats were captured by tlio Liberals, Mr. Emmott having as his colleague Mr. Runcimari, junior, and for tho defeat of Mr. Winston Churchill, then a Conservative. Mr. Emmott is an Imperialist who does not fear to avow his distaste for "Littlo Englandism," but lias bcon a very assiduous Parliamentarian, who has shown tact and judgment in filling, tho chair at Select Committees. Tho high honour ho attained <>f promotion to tho Chairmanship of Committees in the House was a tribute to 'his qualities of tact and-conciliation, and his good temper. He was further honoured in 1908 by being added to the Privy Council.

Tho Members of the Party, Tlio members of tho. party visiting New Zealand are as follow: — Mr. A. W. Black, Liberal member for North Bedfordshire, was bom in 18fi3, and is now 0110 of tho chief men in tho Nottingham laco trade; Ho has been Mayor, sheriff, and town councillor of Nottingham, and is to-day. chairman of tho Education Committee. Colonel Sir E. Hildred Carlile, Conservative member for tho St. Albans Division of Hertfordshire, is n wellknown magnate in tho British- cotton trade. Ho was formerly a partner in J. Brook and Brothers, and moro recently a director of J. and P. Coats, Ltd. Born in 1862, he has for many years been a prominent figure in Yorkshire, and a great volunteer enthusiast. . Lady Carlile and Miss Carlile also accompany tho party. Sir Stephen Collins, Liberal member for Konnington Division, Lambeth, was knighted in June last, ilo was born in 18-17, and is now managing director of tho firm of Stephen Collins, Ltd., Stono merchants and contractors. As a COll- - and a tempeiance advocate, ho is well known in Vauxhall. Lady Collins accompanies her husband. Mr. Will Crooks, Labour member for Woolwich, needs no introduction to Now Zealanders. Ho was bom in 1852, and apprenticed to a cooper at tho ago of 14. He lias been in Parliament since 1903, was previously on London County Council, and the Poplar Board of Guardians, and was Mayor of Poplar in 1901.

Mr. Howard d'Egvillo, who accompanies the party, is not . a member of Parliament himself, but is the first lion, secretary of tho United Kingdom Branch of' tile Empire Parliamentary Association. Ho was born in 1879, and is a barrister of tho Middle Temple. It was lie who organised the visit of representatives of the Dominion Parliaments to the Coronation of King George in 1911. Mr. Hamar Greenwood, Liberal member for Sunderland, was born in Canada in 1870. He served for a time in tho Canadian Department of Agriculture, and in 1895 went to England to qualify for tho bar, enter journalism, and wake things up generally. He is accompanied by Mrs. Greenwood. Mr. Edgar Jones shares with Mr. Keir Hardie the honour of representing Merthyr Tydvil. Ho is a Liberal ill politics, and is the son of a Baptist minister. Born in 1878 ho graduated at Cardiff University, and in 1908 was appointed Iccturor to tho Welsh National Liberal Council. Ho takes an activo interest in tho temperance and Y.M.C.A. movements.

Tho Right Hon. Thomas Lough sits for' West Islington in tho Liberal interest. Ho comos from Cavan, Ireland, whore he was born 83 years ago, and is : n business with his brother as a tea merchant. Ho is a Wesleyan, and a keen Homo Ruler. He was Parliamentary Secretary to the Board of Education from 1905 to 1908. Mrs. Lough is also travelling with the party. Sir. Donald MaoManftr, E.G., is Lib-eral-Unionist member for the Ohertßoy Division of Surrey. Ho is a distinguished member of tho Canadian Bar, and was formerly a member of the Canadian Parliament. Ho was edu 7 cated at tho M'Gill University in Canada. .... Mr. V. D. Pirie is Liberal M.P. for North Aberdeen, and comos of a wellknown paper-malting family. He entered the Army in 1879, and served through the Egyptian and Sudan wars. Ho was first elected in 1896, when ho scored a narrow majority over Tom Mann. Miss Pirie accompanies hor father. Lord Shofilold is tho iscoond bcaroi; of

tlio title. Ho was born in 1839, and educated at Oxford. In the 'eighties he sat in tlio Houso of Commons. Me takes a keen interest in education. Mr. Arthur Sherwell, Liberal member for Huddcrsfield, is the well-known writer on sociological subjects, which ho has devoted his wliolo time for many years. Mrs. Sherwell is also included 111 tlio party. The Rt. Hon. C. B. Stuart-Wortley, Conservative member for the Hallam Division of Sheffield, was born in 1851, and was called to the Bar in 187 G. Ho was Under-Secretary for Home Affairs in Lord Salisbury's first two Governments. Ho married a daughter of Sir John Millais, the famous painter.