THE IMPERIAL PARLIAMENT.

Temuka Leader, Issue 2318, 13 February 1892, Page 1

THE IMPERIAL PARLIAMENT.

London, Feb. 9, The opening of Parliament was not attended by any proceedings of importance. In the House of Lords, Lord Lamington urged close federation with the colonies. Notice was given of the introduction of Female Franchise and Eight Hours Bills. Mr Balfour gave notice to call upon Mr DcCobain, member for Belfast, to attend in his place within a fortnight. Lord R. Churchill expressed himself in favor of the eight hours limit for work in mines, and of labor members in the House, Mr Redmond gave notice to-day to move for an amnesty to political prisoners. Mr Gladstone returns from the Continent on Saturday week. Lord Salisbury replying to the criticisms of Lord Kimberley, declared that England would never surrender Egypt to the supremacy of another Power, or leave it to destruction by itself. He alleged that the Newfounddispute was due to the colonists themselves.

The ceremony of opening Parliament was of an unusually sombre character, everybody appearing in deep black.

The Address in Reply was agreed to in the House of Lords. Mr Lowther moved an amendment to the Address-in-Reply, urging the Government to terminate treaties which prevent the differential treatment of the colonies by England. He argued that if some changes were not made the colonies would be tempted to act by themselves. Mr Howard Vincent seconded the amendment. Sir M. Hicks-Beach, in reply said the Government was better able to take* a i broad view of the commercial relation*' of the empire than any of the eo 1 • They would go a Idng wp- , -*omes--7 1 ® .y to secure a ZoUvwta ernbrao.- E I d and her tbft 00 eS) suc b an amendment at - present juncture was injurious. When a favorable opportunity offered they would try and get the treaties revised, but the occasion was not opportune. The amendment was negatived without division. Sir W. Y. Harcourt said the Opposition would support a genuine honest measure of local government for Ireland. The debate on Address in Reply was adjourned.

Mr Redmond-insists that one condition of the reunion of the Irish party shall be the expulsion of Mr Healy. It is alleged that Mr Schnadhorst, organiser of the Liberal party, estimates that their majority at the general election, including the majority of the Irish party, will be thirty. Both Houses of Parliament passed votes of condolence at the Duke of Clarence’s death.

Sir W. V. Harcourt during the debate said Lord Salisbury’s speech at Exeter Hall showed how Ireland would be governed by the Orange mob. Mr Balfour defended the Premier. Feb. 10.

In the House of Lords the Marquis of Salisbury stated that the negotiations respecting the Newfoundland difficulty were in abeyance, as the rash criticism of the Government action by the Gladstone party had induced France to believe that there was no hope to secure the execution of an award of arbitrators.

The speeches in both Houses of the Legislative were couched in a tone of deep smypathy at the death of the Duke of Clarence, and the fact that the Royal Family had not bid for the universal outburst of world-wide sorrow was much noted.

Sir Michael Hicks Beach, President of the Board of Trade, replying to Mr Lowther’s amendment regarding treaties, said that the provisions objected to were doubtless relics of a past generation, but the proposals

suggested by the British Empire Trade League and others were a miserable substitute for a zollverien between the colonies and Great Britain. In the House of Commons Mr T. Sexton has tabled a notice of motion regarding the failure of the Irish Land Purchase Act. At a meeting of the followers of Mr Justin McCarthy the nomination of Mr John Dillon as leader of the Irish party was rejected.