IMPERIAL POLITICS

Taranaki Daily News, Volume XLVIII, Issue 81918, 16 February 1907, Page 3

IMPERIAL POLITICS

AMENDMENTS TO TILE ADDRESS. DISCISSION ON OLD AGE TENSIONS. AN IRISH COUNCIL BILL, London, February Tlie "Times" states that Mr ISalfour moves an amendment to the Address-in-Kcply, emphasising' the importance of tariff reform in with) the Colonial Conference. Nearly thirty amendments to the Address have been tabled. Mr Barnes, Labour member for ltlaekfriar.-, Glasgow, in an amendment, regrets that no provision for old age pensions has been made. The Rigut Hon. 11. in a sympathetic reply, said lie vuis anxious to make a beginning, but the}

must proceed tentatively, b> at.,. . The question was how to nn<t uu monev. The Government, ardently desired to start a pension scheme «n lines socially and financially sound. The Right lion John Hums (President of the Local Government Board) said \thc matter would be taken up when time allowed. Mr Austen rlaiu (ex-Chancellor of the Exestimated that twcnt.v-cighi BBwons* would be required. The ainlendme«-«BS-fcje4.et 1(J 1 01. * ' X i The "Westminster Gazette" states that in the Labour ordinance "we have arrauged with France we are not wholly masters, but the new rules are a vast improvement on the old ' biack-

birding." . In the House of Commons, the Right Hon. A. Birrell, Chief Secretary for Ireland, has given notice of a bill to establish an Irish Council. IRISH LAND SETTLEMENT. A SATISFACTORY EXPLANATION. A WOMEN'S SUFFRAGE BILL. THE COLONIAL CONFERENCE TARIFF REFORM AMENDMENT Received 15,11,43 p.m. London, February 15, Replying to Mr Hayden's amendment regretting that Parliament s

promises to evicted tenants had been unfulfilled, Mr Birrell admitted that the matter brooked no delay. He undertook to apply the utmost pressure to the Estates Commissioners, and hoped every claim would be adjudicated by May. Beferring to Clanrecaid's shocking case, he hinted at legislation depriving him of the management ot estates, as he was wholly incompetent to manage them, i Mr Redmond stated that the reply J was quite satisfactory. The amend

ment was withdrawn. _ , Mr Dickenson introduces a Wouieu s Suffrage Bill. It is reported that 400 Commoners will support 'the measuic. Mr Hiils on Monday moves an amendment regretting that the King's speech does not mention the Colonial Conference, and does not refer to the opportunity thereby offered of promoting freer trade within the Empire and closer commercial relations with the colonies on a preferential basis. A meeting of fifty-two Tariff-reform-ing Commoners was held in the committee room. Mr Austen Chamberlain stated that Mr Balfour was unwilling to move a tariff reform amendment. It was resolved by 41 to 4to ask Mr Balfour to consent to a front bench amendment.