IMPERIAL POLITICS.

Taranaki Daily News, Volume LV, Issue 119, 7 October 1912, Page 5

IMPERIAL POLITICS.

INSURANCE COMMITTEE. A NATIONAL MEDICAL SERVICE. By Cable—Press Association—Copyright. Received 6, 5.5 p.m. London, October 5. Mr. Lloyd-George presided at a conference of the Insurance Advisory Committee. He explained that the Government must shortly decide whether additional provision must be made to meet the cost of medical benefits. The speakers concurred that nothing beyond 6s could be paid under the Act. Any increased provision must come from the Imperial Exchequer. The meeting favored the organisation of a national medical service if the agreement with the doctors failed. THE DISESTABLISHMENT BILL. Received 6, 5.5 p.m. London, October 5. Mr. McKenna, speaking at Blaenavon, said that the Government must stand or fall by the Welsh Disestablishment Bill. THE INSURANCE ACT. London, October 4. The regulations for administering the medical benefits of insurance remit the fixing of medical remuneration to local committees. Over six thousand doctors have already resigned. SPEECH BY MR. ASQUITH. Received 7, 12.45 a.m. London, October 6.

Mr. Asquith, speaking at Ladybank, said that it was a long time since the international horizon lias been so threatening, but he had not lost hope that calamity would be averted. The great Powers were working in loyal co-operation and everything was being done to prevent a catastrophe. The House of Lords' rejection of the Budget, lie said, was a colossal tactical error. The Ulster campaign was equally so. Be never underrated the importance of Ulster's opposition, but the apprehensions -were illfounded. The safeguards were adequate and ample. It was not a question of demanding a separate Parliament for Ulster on the part of Ulster. The Government was not going to bow to a threat which struck at the root of the principle of democratic government. The Tories would be unable to confine such a doctrine to the present case. The reckless rhodomontade at Blenheim furnished a complete grammar of anarchy. It was a dictum to be invoked that whenever the spirit of lawlessness desired it would stop the ordered machinery of the Government. If the demands of four-fifths of the Irishmen were not granted they might take the law into their own hands. The land reform policy would be announced after and not before the Cabinet had considered it.