Imperial Politics

Taranaki Daily News, Volume LVI, Issue 199, 20 February 1914, Page 5

Imperial Politics

LORD MI'HRAY AND MARCONI SHARES. MR. BALFOUR AS A REBEL. I»y {-*'hlc Press Association—Copyright London, February 18. The House of Lords was crowded to listen to Lord Murray's explanation and elaborate apology. It was also his maiden speech in the House of Lords. He admitted that both his purchases of Marconi shares were an error of judgment, but insisted that neither contained an element of dishonor. One of ilic Liberal parly's solicitors was the only person acquainted with the transaction, and nobody would have known anything of it but for the failure of a stockbroker. He resigned the Whipship in February, 1912, before ever he had heard of Marconi shares, but yielded to -Mr. Asquith's desire and retained offico till the end of the session. Lord Lansdowne admitted Lord Murray s frankness, and said it was unwise to pronounce hasty judgment. lle urged the House to act in a judicial spirit, whereupon Lord Ampthill postponed his motion. Lord Lansdowne subsequently convened a meeting of Unionist peers to consider the question of setting up a committee of enquiry. Mr. Balfour, at a City Unionist meeting, said if he were an Ulsternian he would do as the Ulstermen were doing. The Government's tinkering was useless; a clean cut alone would avoid war. They must tell the Government that this Bill, whether good or bad, could not pass. Sir Edward Carson announced that iie had authorised a further expenditure of £70,000 for expected defence measures. Mr. Churchill, in reply to a question in the House of Commons, said thai fifteen dirigibles had ben built or wcr; building as a naval wing. THE CORK ELECTION. London, February 18. Mr. William O'Brien has been reelected unopposed for Cork City. THE LAND POLICY. LLOYD GEORGE HECKLED. London, February 18. The Government will reintroduce the Revenue Bill, which was dropped last session. An amendment to the Address-in-Re-ply, claiming that the 1909 Budget was undermining the security of property in houses and land, was rejected by 300 votes to 213. Mr. Lloyd George declared that agricultural wages had been steadily increasing since 1900, that unemployment in the building- trade had decreased, and wages increased. The debate was utilised to heckle Mr. Lloyd George oil his land policy. There was much acrimony and uproar. The Speaker intervened in exchanges between 'Mr. Runeimau and Lord Hugh Cecil and between Mr. Runciman and Mr. Long. He also reprimanded Lord Helmsley for interference with the debate by his running comments. AMENDMENTS TO ADDRESS. London, February IS. It is understood that the Opposition peers have decided to support Lord Ampthill's Jfarconi motion. A Labor amendment in the House of Commons to the Address-in-Reply, demanding an enquiry into the Dublin riots was. defeated by 233 votes to 45, the minority including two Unionists and three Liberals. =====