IMPERIAL POLITICS.

Temuka Leader, Issue 2548, 29 August 1893, Page 4

IMPERIAL POLITICS.

London, August 24. An amendment to the Home Rule Bill giving the Imperial Parliament power to summon and dissolve the Irish legislature, was rejected by a majority of 44. The division on the second reading of the Home Rule Bill, will be taken in the House of Lords on September 16th. It is not expected that there will be much excitement over the application for closure to-night. The Duke of Devonshire will move che rejection of the Billin the House of Lords on September sth, and the debate is expected to close on September Bth. August 25. The Duke of Devonshire in a speech upon Home Rule said that the House of Lords would be guilty of miserable cowardice unless it rejected the He claimed the right to remit it to the judgment of the nation, upon the definite issue. The retention of the Irish members at Westminster in an amended form was most intolerable. If the Bill did eventually pass, the Unionists would demand autonomy for England too. A hundred and forty thousand Ulster women have signed petitions against Home Rule.

The Premier has agreed to appoint a Select Committee to enquire into the financial relations between England and Scotland.

In committee on the Home Rule Bill, the amendment for retaining the Irish Secretary in the Imperial Parliament was rejected by 53; also an amendment directing that the Viceroy’s assent or veto upon Bills shall be dependent on the advice of the Queen, and not of the Irish Executive.

August 26

Replying to a written question re the seizure of the Costa Rica packet, Sir E. Grey, Under-Secretary for Foreign Affairs, said that it was impossible that the Government of New South Wales could reasonably demand £IO,OOO as personal compensation to Captain Carpenter. The claims of the owners and crew were under consideration.

At 11 o’clock last night closure was enforced in the debate on the motion to report the Home Rule Bill, and the motion was carried by a majority of 38. There was no scene. The remaining amendments were disposed of .mostly without a division. Mr J, Morley’s amendment giving the power of the appointment of Judges of the Supreme Court and County Court to the Viceroy, was carried by a majority of 38. The third reading of the Bill has been set down for Wednesday next.

The month of September is to be devoted to Committee of Supply. The Opposition declare that they will offer no obstruction if the autumn session is abandoned, otherwise closure will probably be necessary. The members of the various factious are pressing the Premier to legislate on their measures.

Replying to a Scotch deputation Mr Gladstone professed to be more favourably disposed towards the Scotch Disestablishment Bill than to the Scotch Suspensory Bill, as it would more readily accomplish the object in view. It is stated that the Opposition will combat everything at the autumn session in order to enforce a General Election on the Home Rule issue alone.

In the lobby of the House of Commons to-day Mi’ rj • G- S. Mac Neil, member for South, eanefi and pulled the ears of Harry the distinguished caricaturist, owing to the ludicrous caricature in Punch likening Mr MftcNeii to a baboon.