BRITISH POLITICS.

Taranaki Daily News, Volume LI, Issue 40, 6 February 1908, Page 2

BRITISH POLITICS.

Tilli CONDITION OF iKEJ..A.NI>. .' DEBATE IN TIIE COMMONS. . % London, February 4. " The condition of Ireland whs tile subject of a debute in the Common*, Mr. W. 11. Long enid that, though' rattle-driving had been checked, this was not the result of vigorous aummistrillion, but ol some compromise Detween the Government and the Nationalists. lie dwelt 011 the increase of shooting and agrarian outrages, and emphasised the terrible boycotting. Vet, he said, the Government sat with folded liands, v. lien 'it possessed an effective instrument in the Crimes Act. The Hon. A. Bivreli, Chief Secretary for Ireland, in a vigorous defence, affirmed that permanent peace and prosperity had been attained in Ireland. He defended the settlement of the land question, and urged the speedy asquisition of untenanted land for distribution in economic holdings. Cattledriving did not terrify him, but the price of land and stock, the possibility of bad seasons and the fear of disappointing land-hungry people, did. The executive, had worked under the ordinary law with tlie utmost vigor. The fact that juries sympathised with eat tie-driving did not justify dispensing with juries and reverting to coercion. He indignantly denied having entered into a corrupt bargain with the Irish bishops in regard to university education. He would be a monster if he stood aside and allowed crime to continue in order to bolster up the Home Rule cause. He did not believe the Crimes Act would stop the outrages, lie flatly refused to put that statute in force. The debate was adjourned.

Mr. Birrell, in reply to Mr. Staveley Hill, said there had been 334 c.ises of cattle-driving since June. Animals had been injured in 27 cases, but none of the owners had been personally injured.

OLD-AGE PENSIONS. A' NEWSPAPER'S FORECAST. : Received sth, 10.45 p.m. ; London, February 5. The Daily Telegraph states that the Hon. H- IT. Asquith aims nt. setting aside eight millions for old-age pensions. The qualifying age is to be fis, and tho amount of the pension five shillings per week, but pensions are to be universal, the adequacy of existing income being one disqualification.