BRITISH POLITICS.

Taranaki Daily News, Volume L, Issue 321, 21 January 1908, Page 2

BRITISH POLITICS.

LABOR DELEGATES' CONFERENCE. London, January 11). At a special conference of labor delegates, heiit at JJull to discuss the unemployed question, it was decided th.it any old-age pension .scheme would be unsatisfactory unless it was grunted without discrimination and without special contributions being collected. it should recognise the right of everybody (Hi years of age or tho.se physically unfit before that age to its benetits. The money should coine, in the opinion ot the i-onlerenee, from higher taxation of incomes. A section of the dc | legates complained that the party was weakening since the Trade Union Congress hail fixed at (iO the age at wMrtl pensions should he demanded. Jlr. A. Henderson, replying, said the present demand was fairly bold. Tho step, if taken, would cost £23,000,000 annually. Onee the pension schemewas inaugurated, there was no reason, why they should not attempt to reduce the age limit.

SPEECH BY WINSTON CHURCHILL. ASIATIC IMMIGRATION QUESTION. Received 20th, 0.16 p.m. London, January 20. At a National Liberal Club banquet, Mr Winston Churchill, Under-Secretary of State for the Colonies, referring to his travels, said he was astonished at the beauty, fertility, and the resources of the countries he has just visited in South Africa. He did not dispute the I right of the Transvaal and Australia' to make what arrangements they thought necessary in respect of Asiatic immigration. It was entirely within their authority, an authority deliberately conceded them by the House of Commons. He hoped the nation and Parliament- would honestly try and grasp the colonists' point of view and understand their diflieulties. Mr Churchill suggests that the equatorial provinces of Africa might suppljl a compensating field for the colonising and enterprise of British Indians.

THE RECENT LIBERAL DEFEAT. NEWSPAPER CRITICISM. j Received 20th, 9.10 p.m. ' London, January 20. The Daily Mail and the Daily Express attribute the Liberal defeat at MidDevon largely to a feeling of alarm at the socialistic legislation. The Times says the Mid-Devon elec-' tion was a great surprise and a bitteil pill for the Government, but the Union-' ists would not regain power until they compose internal dissention and present an unbroken front. The Chronicle describe.? the result of the election as the worst blow the Go--vernment has received, and adds that the great victory was won fairly and squarely on. tariff reform.

The Daily Mail views it as a victjaryj for protection. The Tribune says the electors voted, against Free-trade. This shows the ae cessity of incessant vigilance. The Morning Post states that with? unhesitating leadership and efficient local candidates no rural conStitueney could withstand tariff reform.

The Standard says that Mid-Devon electors recognise that Unionists now have a distinct programme and are loyal to Mr Balfour. ; '