IMPERIAL POLITICS.

Gisborne Times, Volume XXVI, Issue 2258, 1 August 1908, Page 3

IMPERIAL POLITICS.

United Tress Association. Copyright LONDON, July 30. In the House of Commons, Air. McKenna, replying to r|uestions, agreed with Mr. J. C. Matson in deprecating invidious comparisons between tlio British and German navies. Mr. "Will Crooks gave notice of a motion that having voted £SOOO to Lord Cromer, the House is of opinion lie does not need a Government pension of £9OO, which should cease in 1915. The motion was received with Labor cheers. During the discussion on the administration of the Local Government Board, several Labor members urged the removal of the stringent conditions governing the expenditure of tho unemployed vote of £200,000, owing to the expectation of an unusually distressing winter. Mr Burns did not share the gloomy forebodings. Ho declareu that 'lt was impossible to administer the unemployed vote so ns to satisfy sentimentalists, but, subject to the rule of good finance, he promised to throw all possible work into the winter months.

It is expected that the Royal Commission on the Poor Law will report in November If the report is as revolutionary as feared, it will do as much harm as good. Discussing tho Finance, Bill in the House of Lords, Lord St. Aldwvn attributed the low price of Consols to the Government's attacks on property. He complained that tho Government displayed no financial foresight or prudence. The Earl of Crewo said the Government thought the indirect taxation quite high enough. The country was quite able to pay for defensive services, without melodramatic taxation. A non-political Parliamentary Committee is. being formed to support. the maintenance of a strong nevy. On the other hand Mr. Asquith has received an appeal signed by 144 of his supporters for a reduction of armaments. It emphasises the need of a survey of the situation and figures in the Budget Statement for 1906-7. Sir J. Brunner and Mr. J. A. MacDonald were the authors of the authors of the a-'ieal. APPROPRIATION BILL. THE HOUSE OF LORDS. United Phess Copyright (Received July 31, 11.50 p.m.) LONDON, July 31. In the House of Commons, the Appropriation Bill was read a second time after a discursive dobate embracing the conduct of the public business in. the House of Commons, the condition of Ireland, the Congo; and other questions. ■ , In tho House of Lords the Old Age Pensions, Finance, and Irish Universities Bills were read for tho third time. , ~ Lord Killanin’s amendment to the Universities . Bill, to re-insert the words, “permission to privately erect a chapel in the precincts in the university or college,” was seconded bv Lord Lansdowno, and carried by oi to 31. Tho Government was reminded that the measure was purely denominational.