IMPERIAL POLITICS

Taranaki Daily News, Volume LIV, Issue 104, 23 October 1911, Page 5

IMPERIAL POLITICS

THE HOME RULE BILL. By Cable—Press Association—Copyright, London, October 20. Mr. Birrell, in a speech at Ilfracombe, said that the Government's Home Rule proposals would provide a Parliament of two chambers, with an executive responsible to it. The Irish Parliament would have full representation and control of purely Irish concerns, with a view to meeting the national demand for national responsibility. He added that it was intended to face the monetary difficulty boldly and in no niggardly spirit. The experiment of self-govern-ment had never yet failed in the history of the world. Why should it in the case of Ireland? He predicted that instead of a blot on its escutcheon, Ireland would become a real integral part of the United Kingdom.

THE INSURANCE BILL. London, October 20. An official statement reports that complete arrangements have been reached between Mr. Lloyd-George and the friendly societies, Mr. Lloyd-George having promised to meet, the points raised at the Edinburgh conference. The amendments include a provision whereby similar societies shall insure each other, also a provision for reduced contributions from masters and men when employers pay employees for the first six weeks of sickness or disablement.

With a view to passing the Bill in 1911 the Government next week will move a closure resolution and ask the House to refer the unemployment part to a grand committee. LORD HUfilT CECIL CENSURED. London, October 20. The Oxford Magazine, recalling the circumstances of Lord Hugh Cecil's election, severely censures him for forgetting that University members are delegates rather than representatives, and for participating in .the unexampled scene of rowdiness and insolence towards the Premier.