IMPERIAL POLITICS.

Gisborne Times, Volume XXVI, Issue 2374, 15 December 1908, Page 5

IMPERIAL POLITICS.

SHIPPING LEGISLATION.

A SHIPOWNER’S OPINION. Unit:? j Press Association. Copyright i (Received Dec. 4, 9.53 p.m.) LONDON, Dec. 14. , Sir Walter Runciman, addressing Hhc Liverpool Shipbrokers’ Benevolent Society, said he hoped the present Parliament would not touch shipping legislation. Merchant shipping was a delicate organism. Politicians and others inclined to interfere with shipowners and shipping had better be warned to keep their hands off. [Sir Walter Runciman is senior partner of the firm of Walter Runciman and Co., shipowners, of Newcas-tle-on-Tyne and London, and head of /►the Moor line of cargo steamers.]

THE HOUSE OF LOROS. KEIR HARDIE’S OPINION, (Received Dec. 4, 9.53 p.m.) LONDON, Dec. 14. Mr. Keir Hardie, speaking at Barry, expressed a fear that the Government was about to commence a campaign of mere words against the *.House of Lords. If 400 Commoners wanted to overthrow the House of Lords, he said, it could be done, but the Liberals every year created peers, also those desirous of being created iPeere must be taken into account. Mr. A.squith knew perfectly well that Liberal opinion inside and outside the House of Commons was divided on the subject, and he dared notsspealc out. The House of Commons should refuse votes for the army, navy, and civil

until the King consented to ' the abolition of the House of Peers. They taxed land at the present-day value, and could obtain 40 million a , year by taxation.