REPLY BY MR. ASQUITH.

Otago Witness, Issue 2812, 5 February 1908, Page 19

REPLY BY MR. ASQUITH.

LONDON, January 30. Mr Asquith, replying to Mr Balfour, eaid a real and definite agreement with Russia for removing sources of danger to peace was so important that it was justified even if it were shown in this or that direction that Russia had obtained some advanage. He believed that there was an adequate safeguard to British trade. Further instructions for framing the future regulations for the treatment of natives in the New Hebrides had been sent to the Commissioners, who would study on the spot the best mode of - realising w<hat was necessary. " He indignantly repudiated Mr Balfour's charge against Mr Birrell. No Chief Secretary, he declared, would ask for exceptional powers to deal with the present dis-' orders. *

THE HOUSE OF LORDS. A STRIKING SCENE. LONDON, January 30. The scene in the House of Lords was

an impressive one. The Prince and Princess of Wales weite among thoise present. The Speech frcm the Throne stated that Great Britain and Russia had been able, ' notwithstanding the disturbances and complications in Persia, to maintain a peaceful policy. TW Government would consider the question of inviting the maritime nations to a conference in London in the autumn, in order to come to an •understanding on certain important points of international law for the guidance of the prflfected international court of appeal in prize cases. LORD CURZON TAKES HIS SEAT. THE DEBATE ON THE ADDRESS-IN-REPLY. LONDON, January 30. Lord Loreburn (the Lord Chancellor) said that he was satisfied that Lord Curzon was entitled to sit. He was therefore sworn in, and 6at on the front Opposition bench. Lord Airedale moved, and Lord Nunburnholme seconded, the Addreas-in-Reply. The debate was adjourned. Lord Lansdowne (Leader of the Opposition) agreed that good effects had followed the Anglo-Russian Agreement. The Speech, he said, ignored the deplorable and scandalous condition of Ireland. Cattle-driving was purely selfish, and unconnected with the refusal to grant Home Rule. Tlie Speech, in not mentioning the proposal dealing with the relations of the two Houses, was unfair to Parliament and to the country, after 6O many wild appeals had been made to popular prejudice. He challenged the production of a scheme, but not in the last hours of the session. If the Government accepted his suggestion and would introduce its measures in adequate time, there would be no want of consideration shown to the Government by his side of the House. Lord Ripon (Lord Privy Seal) praised Canada's attitude on the question of Japanese immigration. He denied that coercion acts had furnished a remedy for the Irish difficulty, and strongly argued for a redress of grievances. He contended that the Opposition had originated the doctrine of governing according to Irish ideas.