BRITISH PARLIAMENT.

Taranaki Daily News, Volume LI, Issue 36, 1 February 1908, Page 2

BRITISH PARLIAMENT.

THE KING'S SPEECH. London, January 30. The King's Speech staled llial Britain had made furliicr proposals to Turkey and the Powers for dealing effectively with the principal causes of the disturbance in MacedoniaHis Majesty hoped the negoli itions proceeding between the Sovereign of the Congo State and the Belgian Government would secure humane administration in accordance with the spirit of the Berlin Act. The speech mentioned hopefully the negotiations to refer th e Newfoundland fisheries dispute to the Hague Conference. Reference was made to the relief measures for the famine in India. It was announced in connection with Hie financial arrangements for the year that proposals would be introduced to make belter provision for old age. legislation with that object would bo submitted.

Britain and Russia hid been able, notwithstanding disturbances and complications in Persia, to maintain a peaceful policy. The Government was considering the question of inviting maritime nations to attend a conference iit London in tluj autumn to come to an understanding on certain important points of intcrnation- | al law for the guidance of the projected International Court of Appeal in Prize Cases.

ADDRESS-IN-REPLY DEBATE. IN THE HOUSE OE LORDS. London, January 30The Address-in-Reply motion wu* moved by Lord Airedale and seconded by Lord Nurburnholme. Lord Lansdowne (formerly Secretary for Foreign Affairs) agreed that the An-glo-Russian agreement wpuld have agood effect. Referring to Irish affairs, Lord Lansdowne said the speech from the Throne ignored the deplorable and scandalous condition of Ireland. The cattle-driv-ing, he added, was purely a selfish practice, and was not connected with the British Parliament's refusal to grant Home Rule.

The speech, he added, was unfair in failing to mention any proposed dealing with the relations of the two Houwa. This was unfair both to Parliament and to the country after so many wild appeals had been made to the prejudices of the people. As to the Government's complaint that its measures did not received fair consideration from the Lords, he assured the Government that,_if it would accept the suggestion to introduce its measures in adequate time, no want of consideration would be shown on his side.

The Marquis of Ripon, Lord Privy Seal, spoke in praise of Canada's attitude in dealing with Japan on the immigration question. He denied that the coercion acts had furnished a solution of the Irish difficulty. He argued strongly for the redress of the Irish tenants' grievances. He added that the present Opposition Party had originated the doctrine of governing Ireland in accordance with Irish ideas. The debate was adjourned. While the Lords were awaiting the arrival of the King to.open Parliament, the oflicials of the House noticed a gentleman in scarlet ermine seated. He was among the first to arrive. When challenged, h e produced a document describing himself as Lord de Morley. Ho was escorted out before the Royal procession came. It is understood that he is a claimant to a peerage. Lord Loreburn, the Chancellor, is satisfied that Lord Curzon, who was elected a representative Irish peer, is entitled to sit in the House of Lords. Lord Curzon was sworn in and took his seat on the front Opposition bench.

HOUSE OF COMMONS. - London, January 00. Speaking on the Address-in-Reply, Mr. A. J. Balfour said he feared evil results would arise from the absence of safeguards for Britain's trade in Persia. He feared the length o£ the Government's list of Bills implied that there would be limitless use of the closure. Referring to Irish affairs, Mr. Balfour said that the Chief Secretary for Ireland, the Hon. A. Birrell had recently almost suggested founding on his own failure to maintain law and order a case for a coming Home Rule resolution. Such a thing was utterly repugnant to the best feelings of his countrymen. Mr Balfour made sympathetic reference to the absence of Sir H'jnry Camp-bell-Bannerman, Premier, on account of illness. He also paid a tribute to Sir J. L. Walton, who has just resigned the Attorney-Generalship. In the House of Common 5 the Hon. H. H. ASquith said the real definite agreement was an adequate safeguard for British trade. He had good reason to hope for an early agreement, in the Transvaal which would remove all real

causes of Indian grievances. Further instructions for framing future regulations for the treatment of natives in the New Hebrides had been sent to the Commissioners. He indignantly repudiated Mr. Balfour's charge against Mr. Birrell that no Chief Secretary should ask exceptional powers to deal with present disorders. Mr. John Redmond, leader of the Nationalist Party, attempted to obtain the appointment of a select committee to inquire into the circumstances of the conviction of Mr. L. Ginnell, M.P., for contempt of court. _ Mr Arthur Henderson, referring to pensions, said that if the Government meant to impose heavier burdens on the .poor laborer, that policy he would resist by all means in his power. Hon. Asquith remained silent.

THE MACEDONIAN PROPOSALS. [ CIRCUMVENTING THE TURKS. Received 31st, 9.30 p.m. London, January 31. Sir Edward Grey's proposal to the Powers recommends an increase of tne Macedonian Gendarmerie to pursue the revolutionary bands in order to circumvent the proposal of the Porte who Is organising twelve flying columns of picked men to combat the bands.

LEADERS INDISPOSED^ Received '3lst, 9.30 p.m. London, January 31. An influenza attack keeps Mr Balfour abed for several days. Sir Henry Campbell-Bannerman is progressing,: but remains indoors for some days as a precaution.