IMPERIAL POLITICS.

Taranaki Daily News, Volume LIII, Issue 177, 5 November 1910, Page 5

IMPERIAL POLITICS.

BUDGET TAXATION. By Cable—Press Association —Copyright. London, November 3. The King's Bench dismissed the appeal of the West Riding Land Association against filling up form 4. The Marquis of Northampton, has had to fill up hundreds of form 4, states that he has found no difficulty in doing so. APPOINTMENTS ANNOUNCED. London, November 3. The following appointments are officially announced:— Lord President of the Council: Lord Morley. Secretary of State for the Colonies: Rt. Hon. L. V. Harcourt. 'Secretary of State for India: Lord Crewe. First Commissioner of Works: Lord Beauchamp. The Chronicle states that the division of the Colonial Office will not be effected before the Imperial Conference takes place. LORD MacDONNELL'S DEFINITION. London, November 3. The Pall Mall Gazette says that Lord MacDonnell's scheme is unsound both in finance and policy, and is condemned at the outset by its unfair and extravagant demands on British taxpayers. STATE INSURANCE. London, November 3. Mr. Lloyd-George has submitted a tentative State insurance scheme to the Grand Master of the Manchester Unity, and invites suggestions. He will shortly confer with friendly societies. THE NEW COLONIAL OFFICE. Received 4, 9 p.m. London, November 4. The Chronicle denies the appointment of the new Secretary for the Colonies. What is contemplated is a permanent secretariat for over-seas dominions, who will be the official spokesman. The Premier adds that the change will not be introduced before Mr. Fisher's arrival in England. Sir. Wm. Hall-Jones, interviewed, suggested that the innovation was merely a recognition of the fact that New Zealand and other dominions were developing so rapidly that it was now essential that the Home Government should afford more careful attention to their needs. He added that the Colonial Office had behaved excellently to the over-seas dominions in the past. Lord Crewe had never failed them. WHAT THE DOMINIONS WANT. THE PREMIER AS THEIR MOUTHPIECE. Received 4, 11.25 p.m. London, November 4. The Daily News says the dominions' grievance against the Colonial Office will not be met by giving them a new Secretary of State to themselves, for the bulk of the Colonial Office's work concerned the Crown colonies, and the Dominions Department would be a very attenuated affair. What the dominions wanted was the right of direct access to the Premier, who could then be the dominions' mouthpiece to the Foreign Secretary, War Office and Admiralty.