BRITISH POLITICS.

Gisborne Times, Volume XIX, Issue 1695, 12 March 1906, Page 2

BRITISH POLITICS.

By telegraph, Presa A**’n, Copyright London, Maroh 9. Mr Keir Hardie has obtained adhesion of the bulk of the Laborites, many Nationalists, and others to a rosolve to abstaiD from a’oohol while tho House is sit-

ting. The promoters of the Miners Eight Hours Bill propose to make tho miners’ day nine hours immediately, eight and a half next year, aud eight in 1908, The Government have promised to support the second reading, and thereafter consider what further attitude they shall take. Lord Halbury’a Secret Commissions Bill has been read a third time in the House of Lords.

Mr Koir Hardie repudiates the La Patriotic interview. He said he spoke through an interpreter. His opinions a 3 reported regarding Australia are tho opposite to what wore stated. Sir John Forreßt called upon Sir H. O. Bannerman and all the Ministers. Ho interviewed Lord Elgin on matters of colonial importance, and conferred with the Treasury relative to the conversion of loans,decimal currency, and silver coinage Ho interviewed Sir Sydenham Clarke on the question of defence. The report of the-1901 census of the British Empire has been published. Lord E'gin, in a despatch to Lord Northcote, states that the Federal House of Representatives’ address and the Senate’s resolution recently adopted in favor of Home Rule have been submitted to the King, who highly appreciated the loyal sentiments oonvoyed. Sixty wa-ships of the reserve division, including destroyers, are manned with full orews.

WHAT ARE MR BALFOUR’S OPINIONS ? By telegraph* Fresa Ass’n,. Copyright Received 4.43 p.m., March It. London, March 10.

Lord Robert Cecil, in a letter in reference to the resolution recently adopted by the Unionist Freetrade Club, says he believes that Mr Bslfour is not pledged to taxation of food or a general tariff, and those opposed to both proposals may still oonsider themselves his followers. He hopes that this will not be inconsistent with membership of the club. The Duke of Devonshire replied that the resolution simply re-offirmed strong opposition to either proposal. All opposed to the proposals may rightly continue membership of the olub, irrespective of their views as to the exact effect of Mr Balfour’s declaration.