IMPERIAL POLITICS.

Temuka Leader, Issue 2653, 1 May 1894, Page 4

IMPERIAL POLITICS.

London, April 26. Lord Randolph Churchill, when speaking in the House of Lords in Bupport of the Miners' Eight Hours Bill, said that the measure would benefit 400,000 miners, and that it was preferable to strikes. April 27. In the House of Commons Sir Thomas Esmond asked the Government to favorably consider New Zealand's representation in regard to the annexation of Samoa, but Mr S. Buxton, Under-Secretary for the Colonies, said that he was unable to exceed Sir E. Grey's reply, which was to the effect that New Zealand's proposal appeared inconsistent with the provisions of the Beriin Treaty. April 28. In the House of Commons the proposal for a Scotch Grand Committee was carried, the Government concession having been accepted. The Scotch Radicals complained that by the concession the Government had whittled away the value of the Grand Committee. The Scotch Local Government Bill was read a first time. In the House of Commons Mr Asquith moved to introduce a Bill for the disestablishment of the Church of Wales and Monmouthshire, to come iuto operation in January, 1896. The Government are willing that fifteen members from the Opposition side of the House shall be nominated as members of the Grand Scotch Committee. The Welsh Church Dis-eatablishment Bill, which i 3 of a highly complicated character, follows broadly on the lines of the dis-establishment of the Irish Church. Commissioners are empowered to ultimately apply the church funds to parish and county councils, to hospitals, and to instruction for technical and higher education. Cathedrals are treated as national property, and every incumbent will retain his life interest in his office, parsonage and glebe, receiving from the Commission the net proceeds of the title. The Times characterises the Bill as a gigantic bribe to the ratepayers to spoliate the Church. The Standard says the Government has no intention of passing the Bill in the present Parliament. Sir E. Clarke moved the rejection of the Registration Bill unless inequalities in electoral powers are redressed.