IMPERIAL POLITICS.

Taranaki Daily News, Volume LV, Issue 178, 14 December 1912, Page 5

IMPERIAL POLITICS.

THE HOME RULE BILL. By Cable—Press Association —Copyright. London, December 12. The House of Commons completed in committee 48 clauses,' guillotining the last six. They will discuss the new clauses and schedules to-day. Mr. Samuel's amendment was carried, transferring the Irish Post Office to Britain in times of national emergency. The Opposition sharply criticised Sir Rufus Isaacs' alteration in the time of meeting of the Irish Parliament. Mr. Bonar Law said the Government contemplated a general election after the Bill had been passed, but before it had come into operation, which was a wicked proceeding, and was certain to result in disorders. Mr. Asquith denied that the Government had any ulterior object.

THE IRISH FLAG. NO UNION JACK FOR OLD IRELAND. , Received 14, 12.5 a.m. ; London, December 13. : The House of Commons, by 266 to 166, rejected Mr. Hattersloy's clause making the Union Jack the Irish ilag. Mr. MacVeagh. in a flippant speech, asked why Ireland was forbidden,, to do what every colony and Dominion was allowed to do. Mr. Birrell said that a compulsory Hag W r ould not encourage loyalty. Compulsory loyalty was as impossible as compulsory religion or Greek. Mr. Balfour denounced Mr. MacVeagh's ridiculing the Union Jack. He recalled the United States' insistence on the symbolism of a national flag.

Mr. Redmond said that the Union Jack would fly at Dublin as a symbol of Empire, alongside the green flag as a sign of local nationality, whereof every Irishman was proud. The Bill passed committee, the Liberals enthusiastically cheering the Prime Minister and Ministers. UNIONS AND POLITICS. London, December 12. The committee on the Union Bill adopted Sir Rufus Isaacs' amendment providing that where the union adopted political objects, a member might notify his refusal to contribute to the political fund, and obtain exemption. The Opposition stigmatised the amendment as a breach of faith.