IMPERIAL POLITICS

Taranaki Daily News, Volume XLVIII, Issue 81918, 14 February 1907, Page 3

IMPERIAL POLITICS

OPENING OP PARLIAMENT. 1 THE KING'S SPEECH. f~ IMPORTANT LEGISLATION FORESHADOWED Loxdox, February 12. King Edward and Queen Alexandra opened Parliament in State. The weather was wet and cold. The King's Speech stated that the Government would seek a solution of tho unfortunate differences between the two Houses. Measures arc promised for the management of the dome.-tie affairs of Ireland and uniyersity education in that

country. POINTS FROM THE StRKCII; Heeeived 13, 9.51 p.m. London, February 13 Though the weather marred the pageant in the streets, there was much local enthusiasm.

The Speech mentioned that foreign relatiens were friendly, and expressed satisfaction that that the Governor and officials met tlie emergency of the de- j plorable Kingston earthquake, and recognised with gratitude American gym- | pathy, and tUe prompt assistance of the navy. The Ameer's visit to India would tend to promote the right feeling. While firmly guarding the strength and unity of the executive

power of India, the Speech looked forward to a steadfast effort to widen the base of peace, order and good government among the yast population. SeriSus questions had arisen from the unfortunate differences between the House of Lords and the Commons. Ministers were considering this important subject's solution. Bills were promised dealing with licensing reform, Scottish land valuation, Army reorganisation, establishment of a court of criminal appeal, regulation of the hours of labor ill mines, an amendment of the Patent Laws, an enabling measure to allow women to serve on local bodies, valuation of property, and amending small holdings in England and Wales giving better housing accommodation for the people. Measures would be submitted further associating the people of Ireland with the management oi their domestic affairs, and improving the administrative and financial aspects of the Government proposals affecting the reform of University education in Ireland,

THE ADDBESS-ICf EEPLY. SPEECHES IN THE LOBDS. THE IBISH QUESTION. PROPOSAL ONLY FOE DOMESTIC CONTROL. Received 13,11.15 p.m. London, February 13, The House of Lords agreed with the address, on the motion of Lord Castletown, seconded by Lord Chichester. Lord Lansdowne expressed disappointment that the Ministers had not indicated the frame of mind with which they would approach the Colonial Con. ference. While the reference to the relation between the two Houses was grave and oracular, yet it was an agreeable contract to some of Earl Crewe's and Mr Bryce's recent speeches. He and his colleagues were ready to meet any charges, and advised the Goycrnment sS*to clear their minds repecting what they wanted. Did they want to make the House of Lords stronger, or degrade the House to a mere debating society ? He believed the countr) was convinced that the danger of an unreformed House of Lords was as nothing compared with the dangers of an uncontrollable House of Commons. The Marquis of liipon said the Colonial Conference was able to discuss any question. The circumstance that the House of Lords was composed of one party was a great danger to the people. The Go\ ernment did not intend to propose an Irish Legislature with a responsible executive, but measures improving the system of administration.

IN THE COMMON. RAKING SPEECH BY MR BALFOUIi. Received '3th, 11.15 p.m. London, February 13. In the House of C'yiumoua ill' Toinkinsom moved and Jir llainy seconded the Address in-Keply. Mr Balfour said it was amazing tliat the speech contained no reference to the) IjolonioJ Conference, consUksxing its great Imperial importance. He advised.the Government to think more and talk less about constitutional issues. He bantered ilr Walton a= Kobespierre in disguise. it was idle to suppose it possibe to have a second chamber and no conflict of opinion. All that was necessary was iu the

long run that the people should have the ultimate power in decision, it was fruitless for the Government to try and find sometuing which wouM Ire both Home Rule and not Home Rule for Ireland. Referring tu the Hebrides Convention, lie charged the Government with tactless conduct and want of judgment in not sufficiently consulting the colonies. It was most amazing that a Government that had just won a general election by rcipreseating indentured labour as slavery should in the case of the Hebrides j ■■ re .enact a system of indentured labour, with the addition of compulsory repatriation.

THE PREMIER'S REPLY. THE KEFOKM OF THE LOItDS. "SETTLED IT MI ST BE." IRISH SELF-GOVERNMENT PROPOSALS. NEW HEBRIDES QUESTION. Received loth, 11.51) p.m. London, February Li. Sir IL (.'aniplM-dl-RaiinL-rman said the Government fiiid followed. Unioni-t precedents in 1807 and 1902 in not re ferring to tile Colon'an Conference, lie fully realised the serious nature <>t the task wliich lie intended to a-k the House in due time to undertake against the House of Lords. For - 11 years the Lords had liecu qui-wiit, ready to accept whatever a Unionist Government oiiered. lhe lloine of Lords was called the "watch do?." hut for 20 y«W3 it had been somnolent. Now came a period of ferecity. and the Lords became unblushmgly agio'soive. The Leader of ths Opposition was always ready with men not elected, but born, to support liim. He was aware he was opening an cnoijnous qucstiotfi, but the Government would uot shrink. If: 1 was not sure that the problem was ii"t "ca-icr ot solution than many thought. Any how, settled it niu-t In-, for il> P 1 ' 1 '" sent state was dangerous demoralization. Like every se'.i governing c""io:iv'• the Irish were entitled to tli • manage ;nicut of their own avails That v,.i> •the large policy to wiiieh he hid previously referred. It may inj'. l.c reasonable or desirable to give all at owe. but the Government hoped to remove tin, olijeitionaliilj features of the present system in such a way as to have a larger polity op n. The New Hebrides had I di-n-tia-sed, rcdiscusscff. :i n<l re li-.-ii

airain with llie ':'i'nn fnr live years. No IICW policy w.i- -pi nnti 'n-n; The Government Ikml to muki- th" V-t possible lißl't with a friciully Power, and at last i:ad to tell the 'colonies: ''We protecte I yiuu- inter est aas fur a3 we <-' an > and have come to a point 'when yon uil have to take what you can get.'' Regarding indentured labour, lie said we secured the best terms we could get for protection from cannibals. The Government

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intended to proceed further with the reform of the procedure of the Commons. Air .John Jledmoiid *a:d Ik* regarded the (iovermn;nt was pledged to deal with the Jrish problem this session. on lines Icad'ng to complete seli'government. Air Keir Havdio suggested that Nv ]•'. lirey ought to hint to the liussian Government that iU method of treating reformers should conform more to tlie methods of Western civilisation ilian llie barbarian if by gone ages. !!«' complained that the Spoken. had not rcjerred tit 0! l Age pcrsiou.;. Tim unemployed and tin* jtged and ing poor had tlie lirst claim on th L . t » x . ' pel a-J snip Us of tivo millions. ]