IMPERIAL POLITICS

Taranaki Daily News, Volume LIV, Issue 141, 11 December 1911, Page 5

IMPERIAL POLITICS

COAL JUNES BILL. By Cable—Press Association —Copyright. London, December 8. The Coal Mines Bill has been read a second time in the House of Commons. HOUSING THE WORKING CLASSES. London, December 8. Colonel Grilliths Boscawtn introduced the Unionist Social Reform Committee's Housing of the Working Classes BUI. It proposes clearing the slums and to provide accommodation in towns and country districts, the Treasury to grant a million yearly to the local authorities in aid of the net cost. The authorities' operations will be under tile supervision of three Housing Commissioners, one of whom will be a medical officer of health. NAVAL PRIZE BILL. London. December 8. The Naval Prize Bill was read a third time by 172 to 125. Sir Edward Grey declared that the Bill did not pledge the country to ratify the Declaration of London, "and (he added) if others hang back wc can do the «ame." SHOPS BILL Received 10, 5.5 p.m. London, December 9. In the House of Lords the Naval Prize Bill was read a first time. In the House of Commons the Shops Bill was read a third time. It ensures 45 minutes for the mid-day meal, 30 minutes for tea, and a half-holiday weekly, but owing to the exigencies of the session the controversial clauses were dropped, including compulsory Sunday closing and restricting hours to 60 per week. THE INSURANCE BILL. IMPERILLING INDUSTRIES. Received 10, 5.15 p.m. London, December 9. An employers' meeting at Manchester, representing 207 North oif England trades and 900 firms, urged Parliament to postpone the Insurance Bill, on the ground that it was neither understood nor sanctioned by the country, and gravely imperilled industries. Sir Chas. Makara. presiding, declared at a meeting of the Ordinary Cotton Spinning Company that, on the profits of the past twenty-seven years, the Bill was equivalent to an increase of a farthing the pound in the income tax. HOME RULE. VARIOUS VIEWS. Received 10, 5.15 p.m. London, December 0. Mr. Austen Chamberlain, at Bristol, referring to Home Rule, said everybody agreed that Ireland was now happier materially than at any time. Why, he asked, should the good work be interrupted? Mr. Campbell. M.P., at Hoanslow, said the Irish enjoyed the same rights and privileges as the English. Their real grievances were swept away by the Land Acts. They were now more self-reliant and independent, and did not want Home Rule. Mr. Isaacs, presiding at a Home Rule demonstration at Reading, denied Mr. Bonar Law's contention that a Government majority was obtained on other issues than Home Rule. Mr. Redmond said Irishmen never would be bribed bv doles or coerced by imprisonment or oppression. The Nationalists had an indestructible nationality and a historical right to Rome Rule. Me added that Mr. Bonar Law was most ungrateful, complaining that the influence of Uie Irish vote in Britain was because he owed his first election for Glasgow to the instructions of the United Irish League.