IMPERIAL POLITICS.

Taranaki Daily News, Volume XLVII, Issue 8057, 1 March 1906, Page 2

IMPERIAL POLITICS.

ME. BALFOUR ELECTED. AN OVERWHELMING MAJORITY. •Received 38,10.20 p.m. London, February 28. Mr Balfour polled 16171 votes: and his opponent, Mr Bowles, 4134. CHINESE LABOUR. TERM 'SLAVERY' OVERDONE. Received 28,10.59 p.m. London, February 28. Dr Maenaniara, speaking at the New Reform Club, said Lord' Elgin') pro* found apology for the use of the word " slavery " was overdone. The Cabinet contained certain elements entirely out of touch with tho temper and spirit of the British people. The Government must ho held to their promises on this question.

GOVERNMENT RETRACTION, WINSTON CHURCHILL'B ADMISSION. Received 28, 10.47 p.m. London, February 28. Winston Churohill, in reply to » question, said it was not proposed to rescind the regulations whereby Chinese coolies are kept within the premises of the mines. They are not kept in compounds. (Opposition cheers). DEBATE IN THE LORDS. LORD MILNER'S POLICY CONDEMNED VINDICATION FROM LORD ROBERTS. • Eoceivod 28, 10.47 p.m. London, February 28. In the House of Lords, Lord Burgh. elcro rosuined the debate. The Government should devise means for the protection of the British eloment. Lord Roberts intervened, lest his silence might be interpreted as desert. ing the men to whom the success of the [ war was largely due. He associated nimsclf fully with Lord Milncr's view* of tho danger of placing power in tho hands of men, who never eoncoaled their disloyalty, and whose object was to expel the British. Viscount Halifax held that it was good Government, and not concessions that would conciliate the Boers. Lord Portsmouth emphasised the Blue Book revelations of the punish, uicnt of coolies, leading to abuses, as justifying the country's feeling regarding Chiueso labour. The Lord Chancetlor xuid there never was a greater blunder than Lord Milncr's policy, which led to the war. He endorsed with all his heart Sir H. Campbcll-Banuerinan's and Lord Ri. pon's lnnguagc with regard to Chinese labour, as semi-slavery. Lord Milncr had warned the Government of tho dangers ahead. The path was strewn with dangers, and he was the man who caused them. The only eourso open was to grant responsible government. The Imperial Government trusted that by consolidating tho white race, to en* able tboni to live peacefully under the Crown. Absolute justice was the only lasting foundation.

PREJUDICE AGAINST MILLION. AIEES. Koceivcd 1,12.1 a a.m. Lokdon, February 28 The Lord Chancellor incidentally raised tho spectre of a possible invasion of Europe by Chinese labor. He wag awaro thoy would not bo tolerated here, but the consideration was ono which operated at tho last election. Lord Harrowby appealed on behalf of two hundred thousand British shareholders, many in humble circum. stances, who, unless fair play vera shown, would be the real sufferers. This was a campaign of prejudice; against the millionaire. Lord iLansdowue inferred that the debate made little difEoronee re. garding the proposed gaol. Ho awaited the announcement of tho Government's safeguards to protect the loyalists, and ho reserved hi» judgment. The "Times" says the debate is of the highest importance. It lifts tho 'quostion out of the mire of party re. criiuinatiou, and emphasises the great permanent issuos of South African policy. A Beciprocity Bill has been intraduced authorising »reduction of twntj per cent, on tho Dingley tariff, and lh» transfer to the free list of certain classes of merchandise.