IMPERIAL POLITICS.

Taranaki Daily News, Volume XLVII, Issue 8053, 22 February 1906, Page 2

IMPERIAL POLITICS.

Ml! BALFOUR'S OPPONENT. ADDRESS PASSED BY THE LORDS, Lo.ndox, February 20. Mr Gibson Bowles is opposing Mr Balfour, Mr D. M, Mason retiring. The House of Lords carried the Ad-drcss-in-Rcply after a brief debate. The Man|iiis of Lansdowne protested again gross misrepresentation during the elections relating to the Chinese on the Rand, If the Government believed slavery existed Ihcy ought to institute immediate enquiry. He complained of luadcquato information respecting the Transvaal Constitution and the Government's plans for Ireland. If the Government's action was characterised by prudence and moderation they need not fear that the House of Lords would deliberately obstruct them. The Marquis of Ripon admitted that it was wrong to assert that Chinese had been mauaclcd, but thero was a system of semi-slavery. Tho " Times," commenting on the King's Speech, says there aro many things to watch and fow to critisc. At present few amendments arc expected) and the Labor members arc pretty well satisfied.

DATE OF CITY ELECLION. London, February 20. The City election has been fixed for the 27th. [Mr Gibbs, it will be remembered, resigned to mate a vacancy for Mr A. J. Balfour.] The Women's Social and Political Union held a great meeting at Caxton Hall, London, and expressed much disappointment at the omission ot reference to tho enfranchisement of women from the King's Speech. Mrs Martel, of New South Wales, demanded the immediate introduction of a measure giving women a vote, the same us men.