IMPERIAL POLITICS

Taranaki Daily News, Volume LIV, Issue 139, 8 December 1911, Page 5

IMPERIAL POLITICS

THE TUI POUT AX WAR. By Cable—Press Association—Copyright. London, December 6. Sir E. Grey refused to receive a deputation from the Pence Society, wfho wished to protest against the excesses ia Tripoli. I" " ' |/ THE JXSI'RAXCE BILL. London, December 0. Fresh difficulties have arisen with the doctors over the Insurance Bill, owing to Dr. Smith-Whittaker, secretary of the Medical Association, accepting a deputychairmanship of the Insurance Commission, dissentients fearing that his acceptance commits the doctors to the Bill. DEBATE IN THE HOUSE OF COMMONS. Received 8, 1 a.m. London, December 7. Mr. Foster said emphatically that the amendment was not intended to wreck the measure, inasmuch as the supporters of the amendment approved of national •• insurance; but eighteen new clauses were passed in a single night under the guillotine. Mr. Ramsay Mac Donald said he did not doubt the trades unions believed they had power in their ranks to enable them to pay both their insurance and their union contributions. Nevertheless the Bill would compel the Legislature to face problems that would • not otherwise be faced, and therefore he would vote for it, despite its admitted faults. Mr. Lloyd-George's amendment was shifty. Any mistakes remediable on reconsideration would imply a sacrifice of eight months of laibor matters arranged with friendly societies, and although lie did not affirm the doctors Were satisfied, he contended it was impossible to meet the demands otherwise than as proposed. He reminded the Opposition that the Government might have adopted the compulsory non-contributory system, and added significantly it could have found the requisite money and income tax afterwards, which would not have been so high as in Berlin to-day. (Cheers.) He strenuously argued that the Government accepted the principle of contribution advocated by its opponents, and therefore was entitled to protection against misapprehension. Received 8, 1.16 a.m. London, December 7. The Insurance Bill was read a first time by 384 to 2. BITTER SPEECHES. •" HOME RULE FOR IRELAND. Received 8, 12.45 a.m. i' London, December 7. Lord E. A. R. Cecil replied that his statements were absolutely true. Mr. Bonar Law said the Opposition was voting for the amendment, but lie would not participate in a further division, leaving the Government the responsibility during the next fortnight before the scheme was properly discussed. E(e blamed Mr. Lloyd-George for -becoming in conduct the measure's bitterest partisan. His charges and misrepresentations were more scandalous than any Minister had ever made. He concluded by declaring that the interests of Bullions of people were thrust aside to enable the Government in tIOI2 to redeem a bond entered into with the Nationalists. The Premier, in reply, taunted the Opposition with pusillanimity in not moving the rejection of the Bill, and commented scornfully on the Tory lip service in the cause of insurance. All their voting would not kill the vast scheme of socisu reform. The amendment was negatived by 320 to 228. Messrs. Snowden, Lansburv and O'Grady favored a non-contributory scheme, and challenged a division on the Bill. The minority consisted of three Laborites, seven O'Bri.enites and eleven Unionists. The rest of the Unionists abstained' from voting. The Premier, in reply to Mr. O'Brien, said it was necessary for the Government to use all constitutional means to pass Home Rule within the lifetime of the present Parliament, (Nationalist cheers.)