British Parliament.

Te Aroha News, Volume XXVII, Issue 43115, 18 July 1907, Page 3

British Parliament.

(By Telegraph/—Press Association.)

LONDON, Yesterday.

IJ. C. Lea, Member of the House of Commons, in a letter to the ‘ Times,” declared that honors are bought and sold, the proceeds going principally to the war chest of the party in office. When the Commons met, Lord Robert Cecil moved that Lea’s letter amounted to a breach of privilege, and urged the appointment of a select committee to enquire into the allegations L-a said he would welcome an enquiry.

Bannerman declared that the House would best consult its dignity by avoiding any undue notice of Lea’s impropriety, and moved to proceed to the next business. Bannerxnan’s motion was carried by 235.

In House of Lords, at Lord Stanmore’s request, Lord Elgin consented to present to the House, correspondence respecting the sale of land in the provinces of Rewa and Naitaisira, Fiji. Lord Stanmore expressed the fear that it would be possible under the recent ordinance for authorities by acquisition of land for public purposes, deprive • the Fijians of the whole of their lands. Lord Elgin replied that the Governor of Fiji was still bound to protect the interests of the natives who were unable, owing to declining population, to cultivate all land available. It was the duty of the Government to take all steps to promote settlement in the islands and increase the population. Lord Elgin expressed the belief that the correspondence would satisfy Lord Stanmore. The “ Daily Telegraph ” stated that the Government committee, consisting of Lloyd George, Sydney Buxton, Runciman and Churchill, deeded against the “ all-red ” route, chiefly on financial grounds. It is expected the Cabinet will endorse the decision.

Fourteen Unionist Free-Traders voted in the minority on Lyttelton’s censure motion, though eight of them intimated they would not withdraw their objections to colonial preference, based on the taxation of corn, meat, and raw materials.

The Parliamentary Committee recommended that the machinery lying idle at Woolwich arsenal owing to the shortening of hands, be employed in producing army stores, saddlery, camp equipments and railway stores, and affording work to the extent of £726,000 annually.