BRITISH POLITICS.

Taranaki Daily News, Volume LI, Issue 130, 23 May 1908, Page 2

BRITISH POLITICS.

OBSERVING EMPIRE DAY. Lsndon, May 21. On the division of Mr. Craig's Bill being taken Mr. Asquith left the House. The rest of tlie Government and many Ministerialists abstained from voting. SUFFRAGISTS' CAMPAIGN. ATTACKING THE PREMIER'S HOUSE. London, May 21.

Miss Pnnkhurst declares that in view of the absence of a definite pledge by the Government to take action this session the Suffragist campaign will be vigorously pursued. The Standard says Mr, Asquith ia affording facilities for the introduction into the Reform Bill of woman's suffrage if Parliament approves and is insistent. hi such case women's suffrage must have a wide basis; in other words, nearly an equality with the male franchise.

The movement is interpreted in some eifcles as a desire to dish tariff reform, believing that women are opposed to increased taxation on any article ul household necessitv.

A number of Suffragettes attended at Mr. Asquith's residence in Downing street and demanded n more definite statement of the Government's intentions as to enfranchisement.

Mr. Asquith sent word that lie had nothing to say, but the Suffragettes demanded a personal interview, declaring that they intended to follow Mr. Asquith's advice and keep on rowing. Six of them were arrested. FISCALImBATE. Received May 2iJ, 11.21 p.m. London, May 22. The tariff debate was resumed in the House of Lords.

Lord Avebury stated that if all th« rest of tlie world was protectionist, England would still be wise to remain freetrade.

Lord St. Aldwyn disagreed with the 'thoroughgoing partisans of cither side, lie, declared something must be done to improve the with the colonies. The feeling in' favor of preference \va* growing both in tJSe colonies and tlio motherland. He continued that the Government .could in no wise neglect the movement. He would not shrink from departing from strict free trade to obtain, if possible, closer relations with the colonies. The Government was blnmeablo for not offering' at the last Imperial Conference to subsidise a fast ocean service in return for lowering duties on British goods, such lowering to extend (? not to extend) to similar good rt from rival countries, This had been in accordance with free trade. Britain, he said, had been able to beat, in what it manufactured, any other country in colonial markets. After reviewing the practical' diflicnlties. involved in a policy of Imperial preference, he declared that a change in tho fiscal policy, if made, ought to be based, not upon the action of perhaps a fleeting majority, whose decision might ba reversed later, thus dealing a blow at the ties of affection and goodwill binding the motherland to the colonics, but upon a strong sentiment representing the feeling of the whole country. Received May 23, U. 50 a.m. London, May 22,

Lord Lansdowno said that owing to the Government's negative attitude ab tho last Conference, the colonies liad begun to travel on their own road. Tlw Franco-Canadian agreement was tlio first stago of tho journey. Earl Crewe said it was impossible to consider the question of colonial preference in a vacuum. It was part of a change so far-reaching in its effects as to be hardly calculable. Its adoption might mean a leap into the ravijie of protection. The motion was ultimately withdrawn.