BRITISH POLITICS.

Gisborne Times, Volume XXV, Issue 2120, 1 July 1907, Page 3

BRITISH POLITICS.

United Pross Association—Copyngnt LONDON. Juno 28. In tho Houso of Commons Mr. Lyttelton gave notice to move that tho Houso regrets that the Government doclinod tho .invitation unanimously preferred by the Prime Minis- - tors of tho self-governing Colonies to consider favorably any form of colonial preference or measure of closer commercial union of tho Empire on a preferential basis.

COLON lAL I’I! EFE HENCE. THE HOUSE OF LORDS. Received June 30. 4.15 p.m. LONDON. June 29. Lord Lansdowne, speaking at the Liberal Union Club, said the Imperial Conference had established tho fact that the colonial offer was firm, vet the Government refused to discuss it lest they should raise the question of food taxation, though 14 millions was already imposed on that source. Ho described the Sugar Convention as a golicy of Freotrado prudency, the ovornment being unwilling to raise a finger in defence of Freotrado against combinations such as trusts and cartels, yot they would guarantee fivo millions to protect the Boor farmers from the Rand magnates. Tho Government’s proposals regarding the land encroached on the principle of freetrade in land.

Sir Henry Campbell Bannorman’s proposal re the House of Lords would put the Houso of Commons and tile people under the heel of any Government, no. matter for what purpose they were elected. Bills would be badlv drafted, closured, guillotined, and hurried on the Statuto Book without check or correction.