IMPERIAL POLITICS.

Taranaki Daily News, Volume LV, Issue 130, 19 October 1912, Page 5

IMPERIAL POLITICS.

COLONIAL MUTUAL LIFE. By Cable—Press Association—Copyright. London, October 17. In the House of Commons Mr. L. Ginnell, member for West Meath iNorth, questioned Mr. Buxton about the Colonial Mutual Life Assurance Society of Australia, suggesting irregularities, and also that the directors had lost the funds by speculation. Mr. Buxton replied that he was without information. BEE DISEASE BILL. London, October 17. The House of Commons passed the second reading of the Bee Disease Bill, giving the Board of Agriculture powers of inspection.

Mr. Runciman stated that the hives in England and Wales were valued at £1.000,000, and in many districts all had been destroyed.

THE HOME RULE BILL. IRISH POSTAL SYSTEM. Received 18, 9.25 p.m. London, October 18. In the House of Commons the Right Hon. W. Hayes-Fisher's amendment on the Home Rule Bill, providing that while Ireland should be free with regard to internal taxation she should be prevented from exploiting Imperial taxation was rejected. Mr. Cathcart Wason opposed Irish control of Customs and Excise.

There was a vigorous debate on the proposal to establish a separate Irish postal system, which was carried by a majority of 79, after Sir Rufus Isaacs had given an,assurance that the control of the Irish Post Office in war time could be secured to the Imperial Parliament by Order-in-Council. Sir E. Carson ridiculed the suggestion that an Order-in-Council could give control of Irish telegraphs in war time, and taunted the Government with giving a quarter of a million to Ireland to establish a local postal system;