BRITISH POLITICS

Taranaki Daily News, Volume LIII, Issue 234, 8 February 1911, Page 5

BRITISH POLITICS

' OPENING OF PARLIAMENT. THE KING'S SPEECH. By Cable —Press Association—Copyright. London, February ti. A couple of hours previous to the House of Commons assembling, the Labor party, after electing Mr. Ramsay MacDonald chairman, were photographed in their places in the Chamber, the Speaker having given his permission for the unusual incident. After a protracted meeting the Nationalists approved the payment of members as a democratic measure, but requested that Ireland should be exempted, and the money devoted to some useful public purpose in Ireland. There was the usual Royal procession. When the members of the House of Commons assembled in the House of Lords the King made the revised accession declaration. The High Commissioners of the overseas 'dominions occupied seats on the right of the throne. The King and Queen were vociferously cheered. The weather was fine, and there were enormous crowds. The King was in naval uniform. In his speech, which was exceptionally brief, he referred to the friendly relations prevailing with foreign countries, and said he was hopeful of the arrangement of a new commercial treaty with Japan. He referred to the improved condition of trade routes in Persia, and also to the interest taken in the Imperial Conference. The Speech referred also to King Edward's death, South African Union, and the Imperial Conference. It announced the introduction of the Parliament Bill, Paupers' F/nsions Bill, and a Bill for insurance against sickness, invalidity and unemployment in trades specially liable thereto.

THE ARMY AND NAVY ESTIMATES. WHERE WILL THE INCREASE END? Received 7, 11.35 p.m. London, February 7. In the House of Commons, Mr. Ramsay Mac Donald said it was rumored that the Navy and Army Estimates would be increased. Where was the increase going to end? Surely it was apparent that the present policy did not give security, and offered no ending, except, perhaps, if it precipitated war or national bankruptcy. He recognised that until a better understanding with Germany was reached it was almost a waste of words to discuss the diminution of armaments.

SPEECH BY MR. BALFOUR. "BRITAIN FIRST AMONG EQUALS." Received 7, 10.50 p.m. London, February 7. J In the House of Commons, in the debate on the Address in Reply, Mr. Balfour censured Mr. Churchill for withholding the military during the South Wales mining troubles, and twitted him with attending at Sydney street in company with a photographer when the attack was made on the Socialists' Club. Mr. Balfour declared that the Empire was now at a point of development where Britain was simply first among equals, and as equals it was not our business to comment on the actions or motives of the dominions. But if the agreement between Canada and the United States were fully carried out it would have very dire results upon the future of the Empire. 'lt can hardly fail to make Canada commercially and economically dependent on America for a generation. The Canadian statesmen have developed trade on Imperial lines, and millions have been spent in establishing a system of transport from east to west. If the policy of reciprocity with America is carried out, it will be the result of the Government refusing to listen to the long pleading of Canadian statesmen." THE PREMIER IN REPLY. Mr. Asquith. replying to Mr. Balfour's censures, said Mr. Churchill suffered from \ the dangerous endowment of an interesting personality, but he had shown a cool head and wise discretion in connection with South Wales. It would be wise to defer criticism until they knew whether the Canadian-United States agreement found favor in Canada. At present it was only an agreement ad referendum. He was certain that Britain could have done nothing to provent the natural trend of events, and there would have been nothing in the long run which would be beneficial to Canada if, for the sake of preferential relations, they put a tax on food from Russia, Argentine, and other countries outside the Empire. It wns as certain as the rising sun that the United Stntcs would sooner or later be forced to lower her tariff walls.

THE UNIONIST PROGRAMME. TARIFF REFORM AND THE REFERENDUM. Received 8, 12.25 a.m. London, February 7. Mr. Balfour, speaking at the Constitutional Club banquet to the new Unionist Commoners, repeated that the pledge of tariff reform would not be enforced without being first submitted to the people. The referendum ought to be a permanent part of the constitution, not only for dealing with grave differences between the Houses of Parliament, but for settling certain other questions which it was inexpedient to withdraw from the people. But it would be improper machinery for ordinary Bulgets. The Unionists did not any the less strongly favor preference to the colonies because of the Canadian-United States agreement.