THE BRITISH PARLIAMENT.

Gisborne Times, Volume XXVI, Issue 2104, 1 February 1908, Page 3

THE BRITISH PARLIAMENT.

-'opened WITH BRILLIANT * CEP E-MON V. "WOMEN TO THE PORE WITH SUFFRAGE DEAL AN D. THE PRIME "ML.! .Vi" r R ABSENT THRO 10 It i LLN Efeb. LONDON, Jan. JO. There was brilliant sunshine i,<r tdic ceremony of opening Parliamou,. As the Royal conch was emerging from Buckingham _ Palace a member of the Women's Freedom League, holding a petition, darted for .vara. A policeman hustled her back. Other members carried banners inserilud “Votes l'or Women." One was mobbed and l’-er eoat and hat destroyed. The banners weie stripped to shreds. Officials in the i louse on Lords noticed a gentleman in seanei ermine seated among the first to arrive. When challenged, he produced a document, describing himseli as Lord do MorJe.v, but die was escorted out before the Royal procession came. It is understood he is a claimant to a peerage. The scene in the House of I sards was impressive. The Prince and Princess ot Wales were present. SPEECH FROM THE THRONE. The Speech from the Throne stated that Great Britain and Russia have been able, notu ithstauding the disturbance and complications in Persia, to maintain a peaceful policy. The Government was considering tho question of inviting maritime nations to a conference in London in tho autumn to come to an understanding on certain important points of international law for tho guidnuco of the projected international court of appeal in prize cases. In tho King’s Speech, it was stated that Great Britain had made further proposals to Turkey and the Powers for dealing effectively with the principal causes of tho disturbance in Macedonia. It was_ hoped that the negotiations proceeding between tbe sovereign Congo State and the Belgian Government would secure humane administration in accordance with the Berlin Act. Tho Speech mentioned hopefully the negotiations to refer the Newfoundland fisheries to tbe Hague. Tbe recent .difficulty respecting Japanese immigration to Canada bad been settled on terms agreed between the respec- ._ tivo Governments. The Speech reffibred to relief measures for India, and\a-nnortm ; ckl' that in the Hou.se of Comntons. in connection with the financial arrangements for the year proposals"- would be introduced making better provision for old age, and legislation with that object would bo submitted. THE DEBATE.

Mr. Balfour made sympathetic reference to Sir H. Campbell-Banner-man’s .absence. He paid a tribute to the late Sir J. L. Walton. Ho beared there was an absence of safeguards for British trade in Persia. He inquired as to the protection ot women and children in the Hebrides. He feared that the length of Government Bills implied limitless use ol tho closure to stop debates. If minorities must suffer, it was the duty of good administration to see that they did not suffer by cattle-driving, being shot in the legs, and boycotted so as to he unable to live or to bo buried. Mr. Birrell had recently almost suggested, founding on the failure to maintain law and order in Ireland a case for a forthcoming Home Rule resolution. Such -a thing was utterly repugnant to the best feelings of our countrymen. In the House of Commons, Mr. Asquith said that a real, definite agreement with Russia, removing the source of danger to peace, was so important that it was justified, even if it was shown that in this or that direction Russia obtained an advantage. He believed there was adequate safeguard for British trade. There was good reason to hop© for an early agreement in the Transvaal that would remove all just c.iuses of Indian grievances. Further instructions for the framing of future regulations and the treatment- of natives in the New Hebrides had been sent- to the Commissioners. Study on the spot was the best mode of realising what was necessary. He indignantly repudiated Mr. Balfour’s charge against Mr. Birrell. No Chief Secretary would ask exceptional, powers to deal with the present disorders.

Tlie debate was adjourned. Lord Loreburn, Lord High Chancellor, is satisfied that Lord Curzon entitled to sit and be sworn. He H? s % s the front Opposition bench. Lord Lansdowne agreed as to the good effects of the Anglo-Russian agreement. The Speech ignored _ the deplorable -and scandalous condition in Ireland. Cattle-driving was surely selfish, and unconnected with the refusal of Home Rule. The Speech did not mention the proposal dealing ' with the relations of the two Houses. It was unfair to Parliament and the country, after so many wild appeals to prejudice. He challenged the production of a scheme. It should not be introduced in the last hours of the session. If the Government accepted the suggestion to introd ice the measures in adequate time, there would be no want of consideration shown the Government on his side. Lord Ripon praised Canada’s attitude in regard to Japanese immigration. He denied that the Coercion Acts had furnished a remedy for the Irish difficulty. Ho strongly argued in favor of a redress of grievances, and added that the opposition originated from the doctrine of governing according to Irish, ideas. The Speaker overruled 'Mr. Redl- - attempt to obtain a select committee to inquire into the circumstances of Mr. Ginned's conviction. Mr. Lehmann, member for Leicestershire, and Mr. Howell Davies, vnembr for 'Bristol, seconded tlie Ad-dress-5 n-Reply.