IMPERIAL POLITICS.

Taranaki Daily News, Volume LIV, Issue 323, 12 July 1912, Page 5

IMPERIAL POLITICS.

THE HOME RULE BILL. By Cable—Press Association—Copyright. London, July 10. The Government intends the Home Rule Bill to be passed by the House of Commons before Christmas, l hence the rigorous closure resolution. An autumn session is foreshadowed. Mr. Asquith announced in the House that he will rise on August 2 and reassemble Parliament in the first week in October.

THE FOREIGN POLICY. GERMANY AND BRITAIN". Received 11, 10.45 p.m. London, July 11. In the House of Commons, discussing the Foreign Office vote. Sir E. (J rev, referring to the Mediterranean fleet, pointed out the necessity of keeping a sufficient margin of strength in home waters. A sound foreign policy would alone protect the United Kingdom. Otherwise she must fall into a position of inferiority. The Japanese Alliance had been a great factor in the preservation of peace, and had prevented disturbances in China resulting in international complication*. It was unnecessary to keep a force in the Mediterranean which would be able to cope with other Powers, though there was no prospect of a quarrel in the Mediterranean. "If we abandoned it altogether." he said, "the diplomatic situation might be strained. Therefore, we. ought to keep a sufficient force to enable us to be counted as a Power there." In view of the coming debates he would not say more on the subject. The foreign policy remained unchanged, and the starting point of any new development was the maintenance of friendship with Russia and France. He welcomed the meeting of the Kaiser and the Czar, and was pleased that our relations with Germany were excellent. Germany and Britain were perfectly frank with each other on all questions of mutual interest. When questions relating to the interests of Africa or the Baghdad railway came up for discussion, both were convinced that their interests were easily reconcilable. The Government did not contemplate any measures for restoring order in Southern Persia, except by the encouragement of officers who are now • organsing a gendarmerie.

Mr. Bonar Law considered that the Mediterranean fleet was strong enough to overcome any probable combination es- \ sential t.i the existence of the Empire. 1 He did not desire anything but the best ; understanding with Gernnny. It was j inconceivable that there could be war i with Ormany without involving the whole of Europe. Germany's trade interests were against war, but nevertheless it was the duty of the Government to ensure that possible war should be \ prepared against. | HOME RULE SAFEGUARDS. > Received 11. 11.20 p.m. ] London, July 11. » Mr. Asquith. in reply to a Belfast I Chamber of Commerce deputation re- J garding Home Rule, remarked that the : deputation did not indicate in what re- i spects the safeguards were inadequate.) It was unprofitable to argue the ques- I tion while thev maintained that no safe- | guards would reconcile them to an Irish I Parliament. The Government honestly-, desired to effect a real settlement of the i question. t 1