IMPERIAL POLITICS.

Taranaki Daily News, Volume XLVII, Issue 8051, 19 February 1906, Page 3

IMPERIAL POLITICS.

LABOR PROGRAMME. WOMEN'S FRANCHISE FAVOURED. SOCIAL REFORMS. OLD AGE PENSIONS. Received 18, 12.20 p.m. London, February 17. Tilj Labor Representation Committee lias resolved t > favor the extension of the franchise to women. The Comluitl >3 also defined a definite policy for labjr to seeure a readjustment of taxation, so that the national income and oost of social reforms bo levied by taxation on all unearned income derived from communal wealth. The confereuce recommended drastic reforms in education and Shop Hours Act. Total prohibition of betting news Was advocated. Mr Barnes, a commoner, declared that if social reforms were urged, there would be a scene in the House of Commons. Mr H irdie, speaking in the Queen's Hall, said the Government's attitude in ( regard to old age pensions was a betrayalof tluir election promises. CONGRESS OF UNIONISTS. London, Febrcary 16. Mr A. J. Balfour, presiding at a gathering of 650 Peers and Coicmoncrif and defeated candidates at Lansdowue House, recommended reorganisation throughout the countryand a closer understanding between the Conservative, eeutral olfi'es. Success depen led on a unite I consecutive policy and the maintenance of Unionist principles. The Duke of Norfolk in moving a vote of confidence m Mr Balfour's lcadcrsh >, appealed for such efficient criticism aud Opposition attacks on principles in the House of Cjmmo.is as would enab e the House of Lord s,

when necessary, to exercise its conjititutiooul duty. Col. Sanderson, M.P., seconded. Tlie Duke of Devonshire saw no reason, if a modus rivenili on the fiscal question could be devised for the lifetime of tlic present Parliament, why they should not act togeiher in reasonable harmony. Monday's speech implied methods open to discussion till the ime for practical action, but tho correspondence disclosed a compromise unsatisfying to the Tarrifitcs, Rctalia-1 - tors, or Free Traders. Mr Chamberlain replied. He said said that to shelve tariff reform for fire years would sound the death knell of the policy and the p;--ty. He denied it w»» a compromise; it was a definition. Viscount St. Aldwj 11,-formerly Sir Michael Hicks-Beach, supported retaliation, and an open Colonial Conference. He admitted that the definition did not commit the party to a genw.il tariff, or a tax on corn, but asked for fair play for those who were not prepared to comtD't themselves to the latter. Mr Balfour informed Lord Hugh Cecil that he did not interfere with the constituencies in their cho'ce of candidates, but if asked for advice would yrefcr candidates not offering divided allegiance. The motion was carried unanimously with enthusiasm