IMPERIAL PARLIAMENT

Taranaki Daily News, Volume LIII, Issue 239, 15 February 1911, Page 5

IMPERIAL PARLIAMENT

SPEECH BY KEIR IIARDIE. By Cable—Press Association—Copyright, London, February 13. Mr. Keir I birdie, at Soltaire, said the Government now had an easy chance to redeem its pledge to give facilities for a Right to Work Bill. This represented a principle, not a scheme, and after acceptance of the principle the Government must find the most economical method of giving effect to it. THE VETO BILL. London, February 13. The Times states that the more moderate members of the Ministry consider the Veto Bill must first be passed, then the reform of the Lords might be approached by both sides in the spirit of the recent conference. THE PARLIAMENT BILL. London, February 13. Mr. Asquith lias announced that the Parliament Bill will be introduced next Monday. The Welsh Disestablishment Bill will not be brought on this session. WANTED-PEERS. Mr. J. W. Gulland, member for Dumfries, and Liberal Whip, speaking at Edinburgh, said that he was preparing a list of those willing to accept peerages if the Lords did not pass the Veto Bill. ONLY A JOKE. London, February 14. Mr. Gulland denies that he is preparing a list for peerages, and explains i that what he said was harmless banter spoken at a private meeting.

IRELAND'S ADMINISTRATION.

INCREASED LOCAL TAXATION. Received 14, 11.30 p.m. London, February 14. Mr. Birrell, replying to a question, evoked Nationalist cheers when he remarked that the prospect of reconstructing the Irish administration was not remote. Air. Fisher's (Unionist) amendment regretting the absence of provision for the relief of local taxation, was negatived by 249 io 189. Its supporters urged that there was a steady increase of the Government's departmental demands on local authorities, while their legislation narrowed their sources of -revenue, instancing the higher license duties, reducing the rateable values, the loss to London ratepayers being £157,000 annually.

The Government promised that a small committee would study the readjustment. GENERAL HAMILTON'S BOOK. Received 14. 11.25 p.m. London, February 14. Mr. Asquitli, in reply to Mr. Malcolm and others, said that General Sir lan Hamilton would set the profits of his book containing Admiral Wilson's official memorandum. The public funds were not involved, and the publication of the book did not require the Premier's sanction. A document would be tabled, and it would thus become official.