IMPERIAL PARLIAMENT.

Temuka Leader, Issue 1714, 22 March 1888, Page 1

IMPERIAL PARLIAMENT.

London, March 16,

At a meeting of the Unionists, held to-day, it was considered that arrears of the Irish rents showed great divergence. Lord Hartington was requested to acquaint Lord Salisbury that unless the Government legislate in the matter, they cannot rely on the Unionists opposing Parnell’* Judicial Reduction of Rents Bill. Lord Hartington afterwards interviewed the Premier and advised him to deal with arrears of rent in Ireland in the spirit proposed last session, and Lord Hartington intimated that unless this were done there would be a split in the Union st camp. In the House of Lords Lord Salisbury stated that Suakimi was occupied by the British solely to repress slave trading. His Lordship also intimated that every effort was being made to rescue Lepton Bey from Khartoum.

March 18.

The temperance parly in the House of Commons, which includes members of both sides of the House, are exhibiting antagonism to the Government in consequence of the postponement of the Licensing Bill

March 20,

Th« Right Hon. C. T. Ritchie, President of the Local Government Board, in moving the second reading of a Bill to provide for the extension of the principle of local government in England, said that the Bill proposed to constitute county councils. Tho larger towns would have separate councils irrespective of whatever councils might, under a population basis, be established in Hie country in which such larger towns are situated. Threefourths of the members of the council would bo elected by the ratepayers, the remainder being nominated. Toe duties of a licensing court would devolve upon -th»-cou ncii s, ’wh o inter , alia won Id have power to compel the closing of~pirblichouses on Sundays, and the adjustment of compensation claims where licenses were refused. It was proposed under the Bill that the cost of licenses should be increased 20 per cent. Tho councils would be permitted to assist emigrant*, and with the courts of quarter session would jointly control the police. Hoca! grants would be increased by £3,000,000, the land in the Metropolitan County itself absorbing the Metropolitan Board. Lrrd Rosebery’s motion for a committee to report as to the necessary reforms in the House of Lords has been negatived by 47. In tho course of a speech on tho motion Lord Salisbury said ho could not support so shadowy a proposal, though he was quite willing to consider a properly considered Bill on the subject..