IMPERIAL POLITICS.

Taranaki Daily News, Volume LIII, Issue 55, 14 June 1910, Page 5

IMPERIAL POLITICS.

THE APPROACHING CONFERENCE. MR. BALFOUR FAVORABLE. By Cable—Press Association—Copyright London, June 12. The Observer reports that Mr. Balfour has replied favorably to Mr. Asquith's request for a conference, and &dds: ''Mr. Asquith deserves lull for the action he has already t.ken, and if negotiations, are successful tney will prove that the new democracy is not impotent for any purposes except that of party." THE PROPOSALS CONDEMNED. London, June 12. Speaking at Longborough, Messrs. Snowdon and Ramsay McDonald, Labor members, condemned the proposal for a conference. The. latter denied the right of the front -benches to settle the matter, as there were other benches also. He also objected to a civil servant being made Viceroy of India. A FREE CONFERENCE WITHOUT RESTRICTIONS. FAVORABLE PRESS CRITICISM. Received June 13, 11.45 p.m. London, June 13. The Opposition understand that Mr. lAsquifch's invitation is for a free conference untrammeled by conditions or preliminary restrictions. ; The newspapers are favorably discussing the conference of parties. The Chronicle deprecates Dr. MacdonaJd's speech, and says the Government's supporters must dismiss the foolish idea which is growing that they .have been betrayed. Some papers suggest that the Speaker act as chairman of the conference, 'but the majority urge that no chairman be appointed. EXPENDITURE OVERESTIMATED. A LOBBY OPINION. Received June 14, 0.40 a.m. London, June 13. Lobby opinion is that despite the estimated increase of expenditure toy ten inillion .pounds, the Government is not likely to go to the Budget for the deficit. This unexpected result is due to the 1909-10 expenditure toeing overestimated. It was only £157,944,611. instead of £164,990,000, which taxation was devised to produce.

London, June 13,