IMPERIAL POLITICS

Taranaki Daily News, Volume LIV, Issue 138, 6 December 1911, Page 5

IMPERIAL POLITICS

MR. ASQUITII ON HOME RULE. By Cable—Press Association—Copyright. London, December 4. The Premier, in a preface to a Home Rule publication, states that the Parliament Act destroyed the perpetual bar erected by the House of Lords, but it is the essence of the Parliament Act that a Hill which becomes law under its operation must command, during three consecutive sessions, the unswerving support of the House of Commons, which is dependent in its turn on the stable and consistent public opinion of the constituencies. The licn-tenvc is interpreted in some quarters as an appeal to the House of Lords to reject Home Rule. RUSHING THE LORDS. London, December 4. The Chronicle protests against the Government allowing the House of Lords only ten days to deal with the Insurance, Naval Prize, Mines and Finance Bills, whereas under the Parliament Act the power to override the Peers' veto is operative only in the case of Bills sent to the Peers at least a month before the end of the session. THE INSURANCE BILL. London, December 4. Members of the House of Commons have received 750,000 protests against the Insurance Bill. The clerk class oppose the Bill, and are organising on a large scale. The Saturday Review, the Pall Mall Gazette, and the Observer urge Unionists not to oppose the measure. They hold that it is better that a foundation of contributory insurance be laid than a purely Socialistic Bill introduced later. IN OPPOSITION TO THE BILL. Received 5, 9.25 p.m. London, December 5. On the ground that it was inadequately discussed, Mr. Henry Foster moves to-morrow that, while approving the objects of the Insurance Bill, the House is of opinion that, under Part I the public funds and individual contributions are not used to the best advantage. Also that the Bill was unequal in its operation, and steps should be taken to enable further consideration of Part I until 1912. Half the draft regulations have meanwhile been published. ONE STAGE CONCLUDED. Received 5, 11 p.m. London, December 5. The report stage of the Insurance Bill concluded after an ineffectual Opposition attempt to secure the varying rates of contributions and gradation of benefits. Mr. Ramsey McDonald's amendment to fix a workman's contribution at 3d instead of 4d was negatived by 188 to 156. FURTHER CONCESSIONS. Received 5, 11 p.m. London, December 5. Mr. Lloyd-George declares that the Insurance Bill, as amended, meets to some extent the trade unions' and friendly societies' objections. He adds that the regulations will be so framed as to allow one application for recognition as an approved society to cover all mem-, bership throughout the kingdom. T'.n ».,...,-..■ ■:,,„ wns ( ] lle j- 0 (;h e threatened defection of the Labor Party. VOLUNTEER POLICE. Received 5, 9.30 p.m. London, December 5. Mr. McKcnna. President of the Board of Trade, promised to consider the suggestion to issue an explanation of the status of responsible police, compared with 'the proposed volunteer force. He added, in reply to a question, that nobody was entitled to assume police functions, although it was the duty of all citizens to assist in maintaining the law. The volunteer force had no powers, different to ordinary citizens. FOREIGN AFFAIRS COMMITTEE. Received 5, 11 p.m. London, December 5. Eisrhty Liberal Commoners are joining Mr. Buxton's proposal for the Liberal Foreign Affairs Committee.