IMPERIAL PARLIAMENT.

Temuka Leader, Issue 2623, 20 February 1894, Page 1

IMPERIAL PARLIAMENT.

London, Feb. 16. The Right Hon. H. C. Gardner, President of the Board of Agriculture, in answer to a question in the House of Commons, said that the Merchandise Marks Act was sufficient to prevent colonial meat being sold as English. ' Sir W. V. Harcourt said that the Government would reject the amendments in the Parish Councils Bill, and that the House of Lords would be sure to yield in the end. The Liberal Federation demand the recognition of the betterment principle and a hiavier land tax. Feb. 17. The House of Commons passed the Colonial Acts Confirmation Bill. The House of Commons insisted on the franchise being given to ratepayers who compounded for their rates. The majorities on the Bill varied from 116 to 69. Mr Chamberlain asked the Tories not to support the reactionary policy of the Lords, but Mr Balfour did not agree with the Unionists. The Government will not abandon the Employers' Liability Bill should the House of Lords persist in Lord Dudley's amendment regarding the "contracting out" clause.

The House Commons disagree with most of the Lords' amendments in the Parish Councils Bill, and a number of Unionists are supporting the Government.

The adhesion of the House of Lords to two important amendments in the Scottish Fisheries Bill is likely to lead to the measure being abandoned. Lord Burton has joined the Unionists. The Duke of Devonshire, presiding at a meeting, condemned the attitude of the Lords, and declined to follow Lord Salisbury except on the Home Rule question.