BRITISH POLITICS

Taihape Daily Times, 18 November 1918, Page 5

BRITISH POLITICS

WOMEN IN PARLIAMENT. . BILL FINALLY PASSED. Received 8.40 a.m, LONDON, Nov 16. In the House of Lords, the Bill enabling women to sit in Parliament has been finally passed. Mr. Haldane’s amendment, permitting peeresses to sit in the Lords ifl their own right was rejected by 33 to 14.

BRITISH ELECTIONS.

MR. LLOYD GEORGE’S LETTER. COALITION GOVERNMENT NECESSARY. Received 9.15 a.m. LONDON, Nov 16. Mr. Lloyd George’s letter to Bonar Law, outlining his basis of appeal to the country for a continuation of the Coalition Government, which Mr. Bonar Law read at a private meeting of Unionists, on Tuesday, is now published. The letter states: If the general elections are held, it ought to he a Coalition election, asking the country to - return supporters of the present Government to negotiate peace, and also to deal with reconstruction problems, which are hardly less pressing than war problems, and also require hardly less drastic action. These cannot be dealt with on paTiy lines without disaster. Moreover, the national unity which made victory possible, should be maintained until the foundations of national and international reconstruction are securely laid. My fundamental object is to promote the unity and development of nations composiift the British Empire, preserving their position, influence and authority in the world’s affairs, which they have gained by their sacrifices and efforts in the cause of human liberty and progress, I have already accepted the policy of Imperial Preference, as defined in the Imperial Conference resolution, which is that preference be given on existing duties and also on any duties subsequently imposed. This policy does not include any tax on food, but it does not exclude preference on articles like tea and coffee, whereon duties are already imposed. Britain’s agricultural position must be improved in many directions, and particularly transport security must be given against unfair industrial competition, especially bydumping goods at below cost of production. I do not support a settlement of the Home Rule question, Imposing coercion on Ulster; I claim the right to bring in Heme Rule, excluding the six northern counties, but settlement must be postponed, as it could not Succeed in the present condition of Ireland. I do not think there is any desire anywhere for a repeal of Welsh Disestablishment, but the war has created financial difficulties. I cannot offer any definite solution now, but believe financial solution is not impossible.

BRITISH ELECTIONS. THE CAMPAIGN OPENED. GREAT SPEECHES BY LEADERS. Received 11.45 a.m. LONDON, Nov 17. i M. Barnes opened the election campaign with a great meeting at Westminster. Mr. Lloyd George said the new Parliament would be the most important ever elected. Upon its character depended the fate of the United Kingdom. The situation in Europe was full of perilous possibilities. If the new Parliament failed through lack of courage, selfish interests, or factious politicians, then, every institution in the United Kingdom may bo swept away. Britain had set an example in generations of rest and world steadiness by its government; let us continue the example. His reference to the Throne evoked outbursts of cheering. He said the Throne had won added respect, stability and lustre from the action of its occupants during the war. The Government must go to the Peace Conference with the authority of the people’s mandate. He mentioned that recruiting’ statistics revealed a higher percentage of physical unfits in Britain than in any other great belligerent That was a disgrace to a proud, prosperous country. Hundreds of thousands of men in their prime were broken in physique because they were under-fed, illhoused, and over-worked; perhaps many were poisoned by excessive drinking, to which they were driven by squalor. There must be a real national effort to put this right. He then urged the need of grappling with the housing question, maintenance of a wage standard; wherein workers would have the strength and efficiency that secured to mothers the health which enabled them properly, to discharge the duty of bringing up children, developing of industries, re storing these which had been crippled by unfair competition. Those prob

lems required systematic and courag- < eons treatment by patriots, not partizans. He declared that Labour’s -withdrawal from the Coalition Government at a time of national reconstruction, vitally affecting -Labour, was the height of folly. Mr. Bonar Law said that we, who advocated tariff reform as parts of the issue realise that war had changed the whole aspect of these problems. We stood shoulder to shoulder with out allies in the war, and we must stand shoulder to shoulder with them in repairing the ravages of war. Mr Barnes regretted his from the Labour Party, but he was convinced he could serve best by v staying in the Government till the country had reached industrial peace.