BRITISH POLITICS.

Wairarapa Age, Volume XXVIII, Issue 7966, 17 February 1906, Page 5

BRITISH POLITICS.

SPEECH BY THE PREMIER. PROTECTION HAS RECEIVED ITS QUIETUS. Received February 16 8.33 a.m. LONDON, February 15. The Prime Minister, Sir Henry Campbell-Bannerman, in a speech at the National Liberal Club, criticising tho Unionist tactics at the end ot 1905, said they had proved a trap for their .opponents Such machinations had reloundod to the benefit of the Ministry, but had been attended witD great inconvenience, estimates having to be examined under circumstances of difficulty nud high pressure. The result of the election, Sir Henrry declared, was not the swing of the pendulum, but was a revolt agaiust a method of government abhorrent to the conscience and heart of tho nation. Continuing, the Premier said they had given Protection its quietus. He anticipated a time of strenuous action, fruitful of benefit to the country.

DEPUTATION TO THE PREMIER. NO HOPE OF OLD AGE PENSIONS. r Received February 16, 10.25 p.m. The Premier (Sir HenryOampbellBannerman), and the Right Hon. H. H. Asquith, Chancellor of the Exchequer, received a committee of the Trade Unions Congress, who urged the recognition of the right of the public servants to combine, and the establishment of old age pensions. The Premier 1 replied that it was much safer to frankly and honestly recognise, as Mr Sydney Buxton (Postmas-ter-General) had done that these associations, where grievances of a class existed, were a great advantage. He reoeived the representations as proper and trusted the officials. He had sympathy with the deputation's vieWß -in regard to old age pensions, but where were they to find the money. Mr Asquith said it was not a question of aims. There was no reasonable prospeot of the old age pension fund being established. The only way this and other reforms could be effected would be to reduce extravagauce,- and- thus reduce the national debit to bring the coun try's finances into a healthier, and sounder condition, which was the Government's fixed intention. LABOUR PARTY CONFERENCE. Received February 17, 12.1 a.m. LONDON, February 16. Mr Arthur Henderson, presiding at the Labour Representation Conference, said: The party's attitude towards the present Government would be tho same as to its predecessors. It sucported them when possible, and opposed when neoesary. The Committee's recommendation that credentials should be given to enable the visiting delegates to Australia in the eutumn ■ to carry the good wishes and to express the Labour party's desire to co-operate with their colonial brethren, thus establishing a basis of inter national peace and goodwill, was adopted. •'

CHINESE LABOUR QUESTION. DISSENSION IN THE CABINET. Received February 17, 1 a.m. LONDON, February 16. The Daily Telegraph states that diasensioii exists in the CampbellBannerman Cabinet over the manner of dealing with the Chinese labour question.