IMPERIAL POLITICS.

Taranaki Daily News, Volume XLVII, Issue 8060, 15 March 1906, Page 2

IMPERIAL POLITICS.

THE FREETRADE MOTION. MR BALFOOR AXD THE PRIME MINISTER. A BYE-ELECTION.

vn , f . , OXBO - V ' M * r <* 18. Mr Balfour s final a Pl >eal to Sir H Umpbell-Banuorman to amend the resolution to enable the House without stultifying i'self, to broaden tantion in times of emergency, or for purposes of great national reform, was ig. nored. Sir H. Campbell-Bannermau instead of answering the questions sub. 1 mitledj allowed tho minor speakers to proceed,

Mr Cliamberlaiu thereupon claimed Ka ' nß c we , r ' aDd moyed the adjourn, went of the House. Mr Batf Cam^ 11 '® auuel " m an taunted Mr Balfour with subtle methods and airy graces of learning. The resolution mentioned two subjects because they were in the forefront of the Op. position's policy. Mr Balfour's speech ■ was unworthy of the occasion, and hij arguments contradictory. After compar>»g the questions, Sir H. Campbelluiumeriuan doclarcd: "So far as I 0 Ilot ansivcred them, I have no j answer to give to questions which are futile, nonsensical, and misleading I K Enou « l1 of this fooling; produce your amendments."

Tho niotiou, by 105 to 115, wa3 negatived. , ' w#s

Mr Snowdon movod an amcndm(mt The debate was adjourned. Mr Gladstone slated that » »l,in - i r"* n liable to inspection.

The Basinstoko election resulted Mr Salter (Unionist) -1852, Mr Verney (Moral) IM3, Mr Polden (ludopea^ eut L.bcral) W7. (The late member? Mr Jeffreys, was returned at the general election this year. At the previ. ous election he was. unopposed,)

FKEMIEIt APPLIES THE CLOSURE. FREE TRADE MOTION CARRIED, ! Beociyed 14, 10.20 p.m. London, March H. H f Jie ' Lal) °f member, opposed he amendment, equally the statement that free trade was the sole issue of the election. He protested that the debate ™ o( ' in, W in « lime which might hare been profitably spcnt in redeclni some of the promises, on the strength of which the Government won so hand, somely at the elections.

• The Right Hon. G. Wyndham moved after the wor.l 'proposal',n the "esolution, conclude as followsi "Iu volying artificial protection agaiast legitimate competition, but is prepared to consider any scheme formed to secure more equal terms of compcti. Hon for British trade an.l'closer com. mercial union wjll. the Colonics, or for the purpose of revenue.' He contended the Fret Traders tolerated the protective system in India, where the duty was lowered for the benefit of Manchester, yet they objected to make a change in Britain, enabling the Motherland to secure advantages in the Colonies. The present system was doomod. They must have a system giving fair returns for the workers at Home while fostering the organic cvo* lution of the liinpire abroad. Sir H. Campbell-Bannerman immediately, amid cries of "gag," "shame" secured the closure by .171 to 128.

Sir ,f. Kitson's motion wgs then carried by 471 to 98.

Bight Hon C. Wortley's amendment to admit all gratuitous references to free trade was negatived aftor an acrimonious debate.

.. ,i , t i a^? Sou * "tol'on was that tho House, recognising that the people at the recent election, demon, strated their unqualified fidelity to the principles and practice of free trade records its determination to resist any proposal, whother to tax corn or a general tariff, to create in Britain a system of protection."]

THE THAD.ES DISPUTES BILL. lJcceived 10, 12.20 p.m. London, March 14. Sir H. Campbell-Baunerman declined to appoint a committee to consider a revival of 'franking' members eorrcspon. poudenee. Mr Gladstone iuforinod a deputation of employers that the Parliamentary Committee on the forthcoming Trades Disputes Bill intended to give all reasonable protectiou to everybody .iu tho execution of lawful business. Admittedly opinion 0 u "piekettiug" differed, but he hoped and lliclievcd strikes aud lockouts would ulti. matcly become obsolete. He did not forget I here wer© other interests besides labor, aud tho Government would view the whole question from the standpoint of public )>olicy.