IMPERIAL POLITICS.

Taranaki Daily News, Volume XXIV, Issue 21, 25 January 1902, Page 3

IMPERIAL POLITICS.

PER PRESS ASSOCIATION. London, January 23. In the House of Commons Mr Walton's auiendmant to the Address-in Reply, that it is essential to safeguard British commercial and political interests in Persia, wsb withdrawn after Viscount Oranoorne had explained that the Government policy was toj maintain the status quo in Asia and preserve the intregity of Persia. It was impossible to abandon the British ascendancy in the Persian Gulf, and j the southern provinces bordering on) India. An amendment to the Address-in Keply, moved by Captain Pirie in favour of Home Rule in local affairs in "11 coantres in the United Kingdom, was negatived without division, Mr Ritchie said the proposal was subvi reive of the constitution. England and Scotland did not desire to change. If lecal Parliaments were created they wnuld refuse to confino their attention to purely local affairs and discussion on Impeiial ques'ionn in the different s within the Kingdom would ir evirably weaken the Empire. The C unty Councils were working admirably, and might advantageously enlarge their powers. Tne second reading of the Deceased Wife's Sister Bill was introduce'! by Mr Rutherford, member for the Darwin division of Lancashire, and wil be taken en February 4*h. Received 24,9.55 p.m. London, January 23. Mr. J. L. Wanklyn (Bradford) shonly moves, and Mr J. 0. Wason (Orkney) seconds, an amendment to the Address-in-R°ply, urging the prosecution of pio-Boeisfor seditious utterances. They quote Mr Seddon's remarks on the subject. Received 25,1 a.m. London, January 25. Mr William Redmond moved an auot-ndmeot to the Addiess-in-Reply, compliining of t h<* Government's refusal of a measure of compulsory land purchase, revival of coercion, and the suppression of free speech. He declared that re-is: ance was a duty, while rebellion was a question expediency. Mr J. P. Haydm in seen ding the motion asshrted that there were 2000 branches of the Laid League. Mr Wyndbam, in rep'y, said that out, of 211 landlords now boycotted, only 27 cases were attributable to the League. H« admitted that in 26 cases the League's branches we™ exercising a prejudicial economic effect. An ill- ' considered schema of compulsory land : purchase must u fer for years the housing of the British poor. The Go- ; vernment intends to further all neces- '' sary agricultural and industrial projects in Ireland.