IMPERIAL POLITICS

Taranaki Daily News, Volume LIV, Issue 131, 24 November 1911, Page 5

IMPERIAL POLITICS

A BY-ELECTION. By Cable—Press Association —Copyright. London, November 22. The by-election for Somerset South, necessitated by the elevation of Sir E. Strachey to the peerage, resulted:—H. Herbert (Unionist) 4878, H. Vivian (Liberal). 4730. THE PACIFIC CABLE. London, November 22. The House of Lords passed the third reading of the Pacific Cable Bill. A DOCTORS' BOYCOTT. London. November 22. The medical profession at Sheffield and Liverpool and in Kent, Cheshire and several other districts has resolved to boycott the Insurance Bill in its present form. THE RAILWAY COMMISSION. London, November 22. In the House of Commons, Mr. Ramsay Mac Donald moved demanding that the Government bring the railway companies into conference with the men's representatives. He denied that the men had agreed to accept the commission's findings. They put no names to the terms of settlement. Mr. Asquith said that the Government were unable to subscribe to the censure of the companies, contained in the motion. The directors were entitled to believe the railwayman would accept the findings.

THE RAILWAY TROUBLES.

STATEMENT BY MR. ASQUITH. GENEROSITY OF COMPANIES. Received 24, 12.5 a.m. London, November 23. In the House of Commons Mr. MacDonald, moving in favor of railway conference, urged the necessity of avoiding a crisis in December, when the Government's intervention will mean taking sides.

Mr. Asquith said the Government would not accept a resolution unless reflection on the companies was omitted. He thought, however, that once any suggestion of censure was eliminated and the men accepted the report as a basis of future relations with the companies, the latter might, consistently with the traditions of industrial life and without impairing the directors' self-respect, agree to a further strictly limited conference as to the best means of carrying out the report. In that sense only the Government would invite a conference.

The Frime Minister concluded by declaring that the companies' liberality in increasing wasres showed a patriotism redoi'i'li"" <o tbnir credit.

Mr. Bunar Law, Leader of the Unionist Party, replied that although personally lie would be glad if the Government had obtained the directors' assent to reopening negotiations, its attempt at pressure upon the companies through the House of Commons w.is unfair to the companies.

Mr. Bonar Law added that the Unionists' repudiation of the commission was serious enough, but the Government's taking sides was far more serious.

Ultimately, after further criticism from the Opposition side, and steady objections from the Labor benches, Mr. LloydGeorgc's amendment, giving effect to Mr. Asquith's suggestion was carried by a largo majority.

THE INSURANCE BILL. London, November 22. Mr. Herbert, the successful candidate in the South Somerset by-election, attributes the unpopularity of the Government to the Insurance Bill. In the House of Commons, the Speaker, replying to Viscount Wolmer, mled that the Insurance Bill was not a money Bill. This decision renders the Bill liable to amendment by the House of Lords. THE SUGAR CONTENTION. Received 24, 12.45 a.m. London. November 23. Mr. Asqnith has promised Mr. 3onar Law. Leader of the Unionist Party, facilities for the discussion of the Sugar Convention. MR. BALFOUR AND HOME RULE. Received 2-1. 12.45 a.m. London, November 23. Lord Londonderry, speaking at Hoywood, announced that Mr. Balfour, after taking a holiday, returns to the House of Commons to combat the Home Rule Bill most determinedly.

BANQUET TO MR. ASQUTTH. Received 23, 14.45 p.m. London. November 23. The Liberals will banquet Mr. Asquith in March, to celebrate the passing of the Parliament Bill. One thousand will attend.