IMPERIAL POLITICS.

Taranaki Daily News, Volume XLVII, Issue 8053, 21 February 1906, Page 2

IMPERIAL POLITICS.

OPENING OF PARLIAMENT. SPEECH FROM THE THRONE. AN IMPORTANT FORECAST. Received 20, 8.57 p.m. London, February 20. The Speech from the Tltroue referred to King Christian's death and Queen Alexandra's severe bereavement. It expressed gratilie.iu.rn with the Prince and Princess of Wales' reception ill India, and announced relations with Foreign Powers are friendly. Tho Speech rojoiced that au honorable peace had been arranged between Russia and Japau, due to President Roosevelt's initiative, and alluded lo the prolongation anil extension of the Anglo-Japanese agreement. It expressed hope that the Algeriras Conference may bo conducive to the maintenance of peace. With regard to Macedonia, it declared the condition of affairs continues to cause anxiety. With a view to establishing a responsible Government in the Trausvaal, letters patent providing for the intermediate stage of representative Government had been a new constitution is being prepared, though the elections for the Assembly will not take place before 'fuly. Meanwhile, no further license i for importing Chinese coolies will be issued. Responsible Government will be granted the Orange Colony.

Received, 20 U.lB p.m. London, February 20. The Colonial Conference has been postponed with tho concurrence of the Colonial Governments, until early in 1907.

Tko steady increase in import* and exports, with the growing activity of Home tirade, indicated that industries were in a sound and progressive condition. It was hoped that with National expenditure increasing, the capital liabilities of the Stale would receive earnest attention.

The Government is considering plans for improving and effecting economies in the Government of Ireland, also for introducing means for associating the people with the conduct of Irish affairs "My desire is that the Government will be conducted so far as circumstances permit, in a spirit regardful of the wishes anil sentiments of the Irish

people, Since the social and economic conditions of British rural districts require careful consideration, inquiries arc proceeding relative to means of attracting and retaining on the soil a larger population.

e Additional bills were announced dcal- * ing with merchant shipping, Scottish lf crafters holdings, Irish laborers, checkti 'ng commercial corruption, improving e the law regarding certain Colonial marriages and the prevention of plural voting at Parliamentary elections, i The King looked well, though he 1 walked slowly leaning on a stick. The '■ opening was a Stately ceremony, though " the Court mourning robbed it of its j scene of color. 1 THE ADDRESS-IN-REPLY. > SPIiECH BY* MB CIiAMBEIiLAIN' 1 | lieceived 20, 11 .l-t) p.m. f Los vox, February 20. r In the House of Commons, Mr • Dickinson moved, and Mr Acland ■ seconded the Address-in-Reply. , Mr Chamberlain rejoiced that the , Govcriuu.ini was well supported, and . hoped they would prove independent. They had no reason to fear the 1 Unionists, who would offer merely a factitious opposition. He hoped contiuucly of policy would be displayed, both in Foreign and Colonial affairs. Time alone would show if it were wise to confer immediate responsible Government on the Transvaal and Orange Colony, He hoped no important change ot the electoral system was sketched. The 1905 electoral cartoons, in which Chinese were exhibited, were the grossest hypocrisy and dishonesty, Jt' the Government believed the stories uf slavery ami I oft lire, how could they possibly justify their inaction. J f trade 1 was prospering to the degree alleged, 1 why was a third of the population ' underfed and on the verge of starvation. He complained of the enigmatic references to Ireland, Referring to the very generous treatment of Irish evicted tenantshe inquired what had lie done for the British farmer who paid the rent. He declared the last had not been heard 0 of tariff reform.

THE i'liEMllili ItEPLIEti. DEBATE AD.JOTTISNED. Received 20, 12.2 a.m. Lomhj.v, February 20. The Premier, Mr Campbell-llinmer-nmn, said tlie Algcciras Conference was ]iroeeedmg slowly but satisfactory. He always personally favored continuing of (he policy of I'ulniii;il aiViiirs. in a sense, there should he itu wanton change lor the sake of a change of Government.

lie looked forward eventually to n tedcratiou of (south Africuu States, The conditions of Chinese labor were certainly servile and iu some eases cruel. If il coolie desired U> return lo China, he should be repatriated out of public fund" if without money himself. The i|iicstion of n ifoyal Cummissiou lo impure into the ChincsiMpiestiou would be considered. '1 ho Opposition ought to~"welcii'nie the development of their own policy in Ireland. The Crimes Aet would ht> repealed. I'Muealiou would be the eliicf measure though nol necessarily the llrsl. Mr liedniond iudieated he wouhl aeeept no settlement short of Home Ifule as satisfactory, The delude wtis adjourned