IMPERIAL POLITICS.

Temuka Leader, Issue 2520, 24 June 1893, Page 1

IMPERIAL POLITICS.

London, June 20. In the House of Lords, Lord Winchelsea moved that, in-, view of the possible outbreak of war, the Government should store six months’ supply of breadstuffs in State granaries, with a view to encourage Home production. Lord Playfair objected that this wotild involve a corn tax of Is per quarter, amounting to £1,000,000 annually, and moreover, there was plenty of grain in dock and store to last the colony seven months. On the suggestion of Lord Cranbrook, the motion was withdrawn. The Pall Mall Gazette announces that the Government intend to recast the financial clauses of the Home Rule Bill by giving the Irish Parliament power to frame a budget up to £5,000,000, subject to ratification by the Imperial Parliament. June 21. In the House of Commons, in Committee on the Home Rule Bill, Mr Gladstone agreed to lessen the Irish contribution towards the expense of the police by £250,000. Viscount Wolraer moved an amendment prohibiting retrospective legislation by the Irish Parliament. Mr Chamberlain supported it, on the ground that the opponents of the Nationalists feared that the Land League would take revenge on them for past disputes. Mr Balfour urged that without some such provision as the amendment a door would be left open for reckless confiscation. The amendment was negatived by 30. The Standard says that several of the Ministers, believing it hopeless to attempt to pass the Bill this session, are advising the Premier to postpone it, pending the passing of some other measures of the Government programme.