BRITISH POLITICS.

Wairarapa Age, Volume XXVIII, Issue 7986, 15 March 1906, Page 5

BRITISH POLITICS.

THE NEW HEBRIDES. Received March 14, 7.44 a.m. LONDON, March 13. Sir Edward Grey, Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs, says it would be premature to lay on the table of the House of Commonß a draft of the New Hebrides Convention before it had been fully considered by the two Governments. Received March 14, 8.31 a.m. Mr Winston Churchill, UnderSecretary for the Colonies, announced that the terms of the New Hebrides Convention would be communicated to the Governments of Australia and New Zealand, and would not be confirmed until the Imperial Government had an opportunity of considering those Governments' representation?. THE PREMIER ON MR BALFOUR. CAUSTIC CRITICISM. Received March 14, 7.58 a.m. LONDON March 13. Mr Balfour's final appeal to Sir Henry Campbell-Bannerman to amend the motion to enable the House, without stultifying itself, to taxation sin times of emergency, or for the purposes of a great national reform, was ignored by Sir Henry Camfbell-Bannerman. The Prime Minister instead answered questions submitted to him, aud allowed minor speakers to pro ceed with the debate. Mr Chamberlain thereupon claimed an answer to the questions, and moved the adjournment of the House. Sir Henry Campbell-Bannerman taunted Mr Balfour about his subtle' methods, airy graces, and learning, which did nothing to defeat the motion. • Tne ex-Premier had mentioned two subjects beoause they were in the forefront of the Oppositionists' poliay. Mr Balfour's speech was unworthy of the occasion, and his arguments were contradictory. After comparing the questions put by Mr Balfour, Sir Henry Camp-bell-Bannerman declared: "So far as 1 have not answered them, I have no d'reot answer to .give to the questions, which are futile, nonsensical, and misleading. I say enough of this foolery. Produce your amendments " The motion to adjourn was negatived by 405 votes to 118. MrSnowden moved an adjournment demanding large measures of social reform. The debate was adjourned. RETURN OF A UNIONIST.

Received March i, 8.30 aim. , LONDON, March 13. The Basingstoke ' (Hampshire) election resulted as follows:—Mr Salter (Unionist), 4.852; Mr Verney, (Liberal), 4,593; Mr Polden (L.L.), 467. IHE BUTTER TRADE. Received Maroh 14, 8.50 a.m. LONDON, March 13. A Select Committee has been appointed to oonsider matters of interest to the butter trade. MK ASQUITH MEETS WITH AN ACCIDENT. Received March 14, 8.50 a.m. LONDON, March 13. While out driving, a cab, containing Mr Asquith, Chancellor of the Exchequer, injuring Mr Asquith slightly, and preventing his attending tbe House of Commons yesterday. ALIEN CREWS. Reoeived March 14. 8.50 a.m. LONDON, March 13. Mr Gladstone states that a ship with less than twenty aliens is not liable to inspection.