IMPERIAL POLITICS.

Taranaki Daily News, Volume LV, Issue 299, 10 May 1913, Page 5

IMPERIAL POLITICS.

SETTLING. THE LAND. AGRICULTURAL LABOR. By Cahle—Press Association—Copyright. Received 9, 10.10 p.m. London, May 9. Mr. Lloyd George, in reply to a question as to what progress the Land Committee enquiry had made, said that: >gricultural laborers' conditions were deplor* able. The wages and housing were scandalous. He had a plan which he would outline later, whereby the serious stream of migration would be diverted and the surplus population of the towns placed on the land.

AN ADVISORY COUNCIL. Received 9, 10.45 p.m. London, May 9. In the House of Commons, on a motion for the adjournment, Mr. Pagecourt raised the question of converting the Imperial Conference into a permanent advisory council. : Mr. L. V. Harcourt, in reply, .referred to the labors of the. Dominions ComVnission, and also to the Government's efforts for cheaper cables and direct emigration towards the Dominions instead of to foreign countries. The Imperial Conference had Tejected the Advisory Council, but the Dominions had been admitted to the Defence Committee, a plan whic a for the present was satisfactory and sa cisfying. ft might lead to more rigorous ties in the future, but. he doubted if it could possibly lead to a closer communion. He was. confident that it had secured solidarity of the Imperial comity and greatly contributed to the unity of the British race. '*

EMPIRE DAY. . London, May 8. Mr. Page Croft asked Mr. Asquith in the House of Commons whether the United Kingdom would follow the Dominions',: example of flying flags on" the Government buildings on Empire Day. Mr. Asquith replied that the Government had carefully considered the matter, but'was unable to alter the practice. There was much comment over Mr. Byles having previously asked sneeringly, "When is Empire Day? What does it celebrate?" and Colonel Seely answering, "I am not quite sure (laughter), but I think the date is May 24." . , THE TRADE COMMISSION. > London, May 1 S. • Mr. L. V. Harcourt announced that he hoped the Imperial Trade Commissioners' report would be ready before the Tiext Imperial Conference. A RELIEVING BILL. London, May 8. A Bill relieving Sir Stuart Samuel of the penalties imposed on him in connection with the sale of silver to the Indian Office was read for the first time.