IMPERIAL POLITICS.

Taranaki Daily News, Volume LIII, Issue 324, 10 June 1911, Page 5

IMPERIAL POLITICS.

We take the following interesting excerpts from a letter written to a New Plymouth relative by a keen observer of political events in England-It is understood that Lloyd-George is to expound his scheme for insurance against sickness and invalidity in a short time, and there is an idea that it is largely a trial explanation to see how the matter ii taken. There is no life insurance, so the big companies are not jealous, but the large friendly societies are a bit uneasy, and there are grave doubts as to the best way of collecting the subscriptions. There is a big surplus, so in any case there will be no new taxation. It is all so new; people can scarcely realise )ts being so near an actual fact. Of course, all other politics are overshadowed by the Parliament (Veto) Bill. This morning we hear that Lord Lnn«downe, the leader of the Tories in the Lords, has announced that before proceeding to the long promised Reform (pi the Lords) Bill he will move an addrete to the Crown asking for permission to bring in such a Bill, as any scheme of reform which they would wish to bring forward would limit the prerogative of the Crown, i.e., the existing powers of the King. The King at present, on the advice of his Ministers, can create Peers of Parliament. Under nnv scheme of reform the majority of the Peers would not he Peers of Parliament; so that would limit the power of the Crown. Such a reform scheme might involve also the power of the Crown to dissolve Parliament liv expressly enabling the House of Ijords to do so, a power it doe* not at present possess. Lord Lansdowne has put off his Reform Bill until this permission is given. As a matter of fact, it is stated that this is not absolutely necessary until the third reading of a measure is to be taken, but it may be taken for granted that Lord Lansdowne simply dare not introduce nnv Reform Bill, and is really very glad of the excuse. It is out of the question that such permission will be given, for, of course, the Crown Advisers are tho Liberal Ministry, and why should tliev help the other side! There is another way of looking at it—that if they gave permission the Tories would have 110 excuse for not bringing up their Bill, if they have one, and if permission is refused tliev can make out a grievance. I do not know if I have made the ir.aUer nlain. It all seems rather complicated !mt it is only another move in 'the li'jj game. The present time in polities and social movements are (lie most wonderful in modern liistorv. Then there is the great movement for universal arbitration with the United States. We have in America an ambnssftder, Mr. Bryce, who, though getting old, is ju.-t the very man to put such *1 movement into practical shape. He is the greatest living authority, on the growth of American institutions, and Is trusted by all. And this is the time when you at your side are arming! Sir Edward Grey the other week uttered one of his solemn protests against war, saying that the present system of war preparation would destroy civilisation itself. Of course ''they" all say "they" regret it. "Tliev" certainly mean nothing except self-defence, but the other people are the trouble! I suppose in your case Japan is the trouble. And then the approach of the completion of the Panama Canal breeds uneasy feelings. Later— T see the Government say they have 110 objection <to Lord Lansdowne asking permission to bring in his Bill. So it is understood that after Easter it is to be produced. Something is sure to prevent it, as they are nil at sixes and sevens among themselves.