IMPERIAL POLITICS.

Taranaki Daily News, Volume XLVI, Issue 181, 4 August 1904, Page 3

IMPERIAL POLITICS.

ENGLISH LICENSING BILL. LONDON, August' 2. ' Mr Balfour, replying to a correspondent, eulogises the Licensing Hill. He declares the measure is for' reducing the number of public-houses and'bettering their condition. It does not preclude further legislative changes. Many reforms are irreconciliabte because they adhere to some vast impracticable ideal'; others transfer to the sailers of drink sentiments of moral reprobation which might more properly be reserved for the immoderate consumer. All lovers of justice and temperance shouK support the present practical bill] ensuring more in the direction of licensing reform than Parliament has heretofore been able to accomplish. (Received August 3, 10 2ti p.m.) LONDON', August .«, In the House of Lords Viscount Peel's. amendment to the Licensing Bill was rejected by !42 votes to 47, and the bill was read a second time. BILLS DROPPED. LONDON, August 3. In the House of Commons the Government has dropped the Scotch Education and the Butter Bills. „ > MR CHAMBERLAIN'S SUGGESTIONS. LONDON, August 2. The Standard says that Mr Chamberlain's declaration in favour of an early appeal to the constituencies caino as a surprise to the Government. The Times says that the proposed new colonial, conference might' save the Opposition being placed in hopeless alienation with the colonies, in view of the prevailing temper of the latter. (Received August 8, 11.36 p.m.) LONDON, August ii. Lord Rosebery, in a letter published in the Times, declares that under certain limitations he welcomes the proposal for a colonial conference, wMelr would do good only, if earnestly desired by the Outer Britains with the Motherland. The basis of the conference would have to be pre-arranged. Both parties'representatives must be men of national weight.

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