IMPERIAL POLITICS.

Stratford Evening Post, Volume XXXV, Issue 27, 31 January 1913, Page 5

IMPERIAL POLITICS.

HOME RULE BILL

(By Electric Telegraph.—Copyright (United Press Association.)

London, January 2.9

Lord St. Aldwyn, speaking on the Home Hide Bill, said that it did not place the Irish Government in a position of self-reliance. The expenditure was certain to rise, while the revenue would diminish. Iso one in Ireland approved of the financial provisions. It was utterly impossible to fulfil the roseate Nationalist expectations, which the advent of Home Rule had aroused. It was impossible to raise the extra taxation, because of the fact that Ireland was already overtaxed. This was dinner into every Irishman’s ears, and consequently fresh discontent would arise. Ireland would lose the advantage of Imperial credit, and pay a higher rate for loans than hitherto. The real reason of the retention of forty-two members at Westminster was so that they could act in concert in raiding the British Treasury. Their support would be open at prices corresponding to the British Government’s needs. It was a temptation to the Irish Government not to effect economies lest it should bring nearer a financial revision when Ireland would be asked to contribute to die Imperial expenditure. The Bill was framed not to work, but to pass. Mr, Haldane said that he was a; sanguine of the beneficial results of the Bill as Lord St. Aldwyn was pessimistic and gloomy. Sir E. Grey’s Canadian analogy could not be applied to Ireland. The theory was that the Bill was a true devolution, as distinct from a true federation. It was necessary to retain representation at West minster to give reality to the claim of an Imperial Parliament. London, January 30.

The Marquis of Londonderry has de manded to know the Government’s in tentions with regard to Lister. Her prosperity is entirely due to the Act' of Union, and she cannot afford to v:st her great commercial and financial interests in Mr. Redmond’s hands. Earl Selborne said that the Bill granted neither colonial nor federal self-government. It was unnecessary, in order to secure an Imperial Parliament, to create half a dozen subordinate Parliaments. The present Parliament was perfectly capable of dealing with the requirements of the United Kingdom, if relieved of the navy and foreign policy in India.

WELSH DISESTABLISHMENT. Lopdon, January 29. The Welsh Disestablishment Bill has passed through Committee. Lord Kenyon will move its rejection in the House of Lords. THE SOUTH AFRICAN ANALOGY. London, January 29. In the House of Lords Lord Selborne said the Union 6f South Africa was no analogy for Ireland. There was ni Ulster in South Africa. There was a case for Irisli Home Rule, but none for the present Bill. TRADES UNION BILL. London, January 29. In the House of Commons, Mr. Wardle’s amendment to the Trade Union Bill, conferring power on the Registrar of Friendly Societies to redress the grievances of members of a union, where a breach of rules has been committed, was adopted. Some Labourites declared that this was worse than the Osborne judgment.

THE GOVERNMENT’S ACHIEVE-

MENTS

London, January £0

Mr. Asquith, speaking at Levin, said that the Government had placed on the Statute Book two of the greatest social reforms—old age pensions and insurance—ever enacted. They had provided for the maintenance of the unchallenged command of the sea vitnout adding a penny to the public debt. They had, indeed, actually diminished the country’s capital liabilities to a larger extent than any of their predecessors, without clogging industrial progress. The relations overseas w ere never more cordial. The colonics were nobly co-operating in the common defence. It was obvious that the Unionists had abandoned Chamberlainism. The recent tortuosities and gyrations of the Unionist Party mad® it difficult to grasp their present policy. No effective colonial preference was possible without food duties. Britain had nothing to gain and everyth) ng to lose by changing her fiscal policy. In reply to a question as to whether he desired taxation on land values, Mr Asquith said that the matter was lieing considered in framing the Land Bill. He was unable to disclose its provisions.