The Imperial Parliament.

Manawatu Herald, 19 February 1895, Page 2

The Imperial Parliament.

I In the House of Commons, Mr ■ J. J. Clancy's amendment to the Address-in-Reply, in favour of an amnesty to the dynamiters, was rejected by 188 votes. Bir Wi Vi Hwcouri warmly oom

plained of the number of such amendments. He pointed out that when Guy Fawkes attempted to destroy the House of Oommona the people did not discriminate whether his was a political of an ordinary offence. Sir Edward Grey, linker-Secretary to the Foreign Office* speaking in the House of Commons) said that Great Britain does dot recognise the p^re-enipkion of France in regard to the Congo territory. He also announced that the Government in" tended to make representations that international dontirol of the fticattU quart Caite.l Was tieiiessary. He had no reason to suppose the United States would withdraw from the treaty engagement. Mr Chamberlain, in moving his amendment to the Address-in-Reply to the effect that it is contrary to the public interest that Parliament should be occupied with the discus 1 * sion of measures which the Ministry admit have no prospect of becoming law, while in the judgment of Parliament they ought to take proposals involving a grave constitutional change, said he desired to lay bare the tactics of the Government. If, he said, the Government believed the country favoured Home Rule, they would have struck a greater blow at the House of Lords by appealing to the country than by the proposed resolution. He challenged the Government to submit the resolution forthwith. The Government, he declared, were tottering, and they should not shrink from the inevitable plunge. The Home Secretary, Mr Asquith, speaking to the amendment, said that Home Eule at present was cot a vital question. In the House of Lords, the Premier, Lord Bosebery, said the Government would undertake the con- ' struction of the Uganda railway when the moment was opportune. Negotiations were proceeding with those interested in the territories which the railway would traverse. The Marquis ot Salisbury urged promptitude, owing to the fear of losing the markets there, in view of the energy of other Powers. The enormous growth of Protection in France, Germany and Ameriaa had everywherechokedßritishcommerce, and he demanded the.construotion of the proposed railway, as it would, open up a new territory. Mr Chamberlain declares there is no doubt that a general election would return a large majority in favour of autonomy for Ireland ; but there is, he says, no genuine agitation in Ireland, although a levy of 4d per head has been made to meet the needs of the Nationalists.