THE IMPERIAL PARLIAMENT.

Temuka Leader, Issue 2323, 25 February 1892, Page 4

THE IMPERIAL PARLIAMENT.

London, Feb. 22. Mr H. Chaplin, Minister of Agriculture, has introduced a Small Holdings Bill into the House of Commons. The measure proposes to enable County Councils to levy a rate of Id in the £, which, it is estimated, would yield £10,000,000 for the voluntary purchase of lands., The Councils are given power to sell or let. The Bill, which does not apply to holdings in Ireland, is viewed in a friendly spirit by the Opposition. .Lord Knutsford, in reply to a question by Mr Howard-Vincent, said that Australian and Canadian goods would be admitted into England at similar rates to goods from the United States, the West Indies, and other colonies. Fifty-eight classes would be admitted free of duty, while large reductions would be mad« in others. The Opposition to Mr Balfour's Irish Local Government Bill is rapidly abating. A SENSATIONAL STORY. London, ¥&. 22. The Echo publishes a sensa*i° na l story with regard to Mr William Lidderdale, a son of the governor of the Bank of England. It states that i shortly before the day fixed for his J wedding the young man left home with £I,OOO in his possession, with the intention, it is alleged, of visiting Australia, and it is now reported that he fell overboard from his yacht while in company with a lady, not his betrothed, and was drowned. The police discredit the story, and are afraid that Mr Lidderdale has been kidnapped and murdered for the sake of the money which he had. Feb. 23, It is now believed that it was a wealthy American spinster who kidnapped Mr Lidderdale and carried him off on board her yacht. New York, Feb. 22. The announcement of the death of young Lidderdale, which was published in some of the London dailies was forged. It is stated that he is going to Australia, to purchase property, but the general belief is that no letter has been received from him giving his whereabouts or intentions.