IMPERIAL POLITICS.

Taranaki Daily News, Volume LV, Issue 160, 23 November 1912, Page 5

IMPERIAL POLITICS.

; THE NATIONAL RESERVES. 3By Cable—Press Association—Copyright. Received 22, 2.55 p.m. t London, November 21. Colonel Seely, Under-Secretary for iVVar, replying to questions, said that no funds were available to supply the national reserve with practice ammunition. It was not intended to organise ft reserve defence against invasion, or to supply rifles, ammunition or uniforms. CHEAPER CABLEGRAMS. London, November 21. In the House of Commons, replying to Major Archer Shee. Mr. Samuel, Postmaster-General, admitted having received the Commonwealth's despatch, complaining of the insufliciency of the Cable concessions announced last April, and suggesting calling a subsidiary conference. Mr. Samuel said that since the despatch considerable further Atlantic reductions had been effected, and the Pacific ci'i new arrangiifvi.t.-.. bifl reply to the Commonwealth pLiiuiug the completion of those arrangements. NAVAL DEFENCE. SOUTH AFRICA AND INDIA. ; - Received 22, 11.6 p.m. London, November 22. The South African Government is conferring with the Admiralty on naval defence, and is likely to make early proposals not unworthy of her place in the Empire. The Prime Minister, replying to Mr. Fell, aaid that the question of India offering a Dreadnought had not been raised. It was understood that, the Indian authorities considered India's present share in the expenditure on the Empire's defence sufficient. THE HOME RULE BILL. Received 22, 11.5 p.m. London, November 22. 1 At clause 14, during the discussion on the Home Rule Bill, an amendment that all Irish revenue should be paid to the Imperial Exchequer was rejected. An amendment to establish Ireland's obligation to contribute to the Imperial expenditure by a fixed amount was also negatived. The guillotine cut off thirty amendments, and the clause passed. H. Samuel gave notice of ail amendment depriving the Irish ParliaI ment of power to reduce Imperial taxes. ISV :■