IMPERIAL POLITICS.

Gisborne Times, Volume XXVI, Issue 2259, 3 August 1908, Page 3

IMPERIAL POLITICS.

OLD AGE PENSIONS. IRISH UNIVERSITIES BILL. United Press Association. Copyright (Received August-2, 4.30 p.m.) LONDON, August 1. In the House of Commons, after the Speaker admitted it was a breach of privilege, the amendment moved in the House of Lords by Lord Cromer limiting the duration of the Old Ago Pensions Act to six years, was deleted. Lord Killanin’s amendment to the Irish Universities Bill was also deleted. The House of Lords acquiesced in the Houso of Commons’ amendments, and passed both Bills, but an tho easo of the pensions, by 37 to 23, adopted Lord Lnnsdowno’s resolution declaring that while not insisting on the amendments, the House of Lords’did not accept tho reasons offered by the House ot Commons, nor consented to their beiim hereafter drawn into precedence. The Bill, it was contended, was not one granting aids or supplies and involved a question of policy affecting the treatment of necessitous persons wherein both Houses were concerned. THE ASIATIC QUESTION. THE POSITION OF THE COLONIES. United Press Association, Copyright (Received August 2, 4.15 p.m.) 'LONDON; August 1. In the House of Commons, Major Seely, on the motion for adjournment to the 12th October, admitted that the Asiatic question in the colonies was overwhelmingly important. Tho whole ‘future of the Empire depended upon the present steps. A false move might shatter at. Britain ought not to adopt a superior tone towards the colonies, with whom the question was more acute than at Home. “Vo are bound to /admit that the self-governing colonies could exclude whom they would, ami we could not interfere, but certain principle: might ibe laid down. If immigrants were admitted they must sooner or liter he given civil nights, and they must be admitted free or not at all. If the self-governing colonies sought to exclude British subjects, owing to economic reasons t 0 prevent wages being cut down.* or because of climatic conditions, or social antipathy, they ought at any rate to t.rc(it with the* utmost generosity the colored immigrants already there. The Imperial Government asked that for them, and the request had Ibecn met by Canadn in the friendliest spirit.” He was confident the Governments of Australia and 'South Africa would show the same spirit, realising the necessity for mutual forbearance. •Major fleetly, continuing, said lie agreed that the Imperial secretariat should take the matter up. He believed it w.as necessary to make the secretariat mil. '.namely, the Clearing house of the .Empire, where all the different laws might be examined and reported on, enabling every part of the Empire to know what was being done in other parts. Sir Gilbert .Parker sa id the essential structure of national life should be built from the beginning by whites, otherwise it would be rotten. Major Seely’s words were re-echoed in every corner of the Empire. He contended the Government was taking the right view in appealing to the colonies and conferring with them.