BRITISH POLITICS.

Wairarapa Age, Volume XXIX, Issue 8357, 14 February 1907, Page 5

BRITISH POLITICS.

Received February 13, 8.30 a.m. LONDON, February 12. King Edward and Queen Alexandra opened Parliament in state. The weather was wet and cold. THE KING'S SPEECH. Received February 13, 10.46 a.m. LONDON, February 12. The King's Speech stated that the Government would seek the solution of the unfortunate differences between the two Houses, of Parliament. Measures are promised for the management of the domestic affairs of Ireland and for university education. Received February 13, 9.54 p.m. LONDON February 13. The Speech stated thai Britain's relations with foreign Powers were of a friendly nature, and expressed satisfaction that the Governor and officials had met the emergency in the deplorible Kingston earthquake, and rep.ogniis.jd with gratitude American sympathy and the prompt assistance of the navy. The Ameer's visit would tend, to promote the right feeling while firmly guarding the strength and unity of the executive power of India. Serious questions had arisen from the unfortunate differences between the House of Lords and the House of Commons, Ministers considering this an important subject for solution. The Bills promised included licensing reform, Scottish land valuation, army reorganisation, the establishment of a Court of Criminal Appeal, regulation of hours of labour in mines, an amendment to the patent laws, an enabling measure to allow woman to serve on local bodies, the valuation of property and amending small holdings in England and Wales and the better housing of the people. Measures would be submitted further associating the people of Ireland with the management of their domestic affairs and improving the administrative and financial aspects of Government, and proposals effecting the reform of University education in Ireland.

Received February 13, 11.55 p. m LONDON, February 13.

In the House of Commons, Mr Tomkinson moved the adoption of the Address, and Mr Rainy seconded. Mr Balfour said it was amazing that the Speech contained no reference to the Colonial Conference considering its great Imperial importance. He advised the Government to think more and talk less about Constitutional issues. He bantered Mr Walton as a Robespierre in disguise. ? It was idle to suppose that it was. possible to have a second Chamber and no conflict of opinion. It was fruitless for the Government to try to find something which would be both Home Rule and not Home Rule for Ireland. Referring to the New Hebrides, he charged the Government with tactless conduct and want of, judgment, and with not having . sufficiently consulted the colonies.

Sir Henry Campbell-Bannerman said that the Government had followed the Unionist precedents in 1897 and 1902 in not referring to the Culonial Conference, He fully realised the serious nature of the task which he intended to ask the House in due time to undertake against the House of Lords. For twenty years the House of Lords had been quiescent and ready toyaccept whatever the Unionist Government offered. The House of Lords had been called the "watch-dog," but after twenty years of somnolence there now came a period of ferocity, and the House of Lords became unblushingly aggressive. He was aware of the opening of an enormous question, but the Government would not shrink from it. He was not sure that the problem would not be easier of solution than many thought. Anyhow, settled it must be, for the present state of affairs was dangerous and demoralising. Like every self-governing colony, the Irish were entitled to the management of their own affairs. That was a larger policy than he had previously referred to, and it may not be reasonable or desirable to give all at once but the Government hoped to have removed obviously the objectionable features of the present system in such a way as to !,leave a larger policy open. The New Hebrides had been discussed and re-discussed, and re-discussed again with the colonies for five years. No new policy had been sprung on them. The Government had made the best possible fight with a friendly foreign power. "At last," said the Premier, "we had to tell the colonies we have protected your interests as far as we can and have come to the point when you will have to take what you can get. Regarding indentured labour we secured the best terms we could get for the protection of cannibals." The Government intended to proceed further, and reform the procedure of the House of Commons. Mr Redmond regarded the Government as pledged to deal with the Irish problem this session on lines leading to complete self-Government. Mr Keir Hardie suggestedJthat'S ir Edward Grey ought to hinc to the Russian Government that its methods of treating reformers should conform more with the methods of Western civilisation than barbarian bygone days. He complained that the Speech had not referred to old age pensions. The unemployed, aged and deserving poor should have first claim on the expected surplus of five millions.

BY-ELECTION FOR PERTH. Received February 13, 10 a.m. LONDON, February 12. Sir Robert Pullar has been elected unopposed for Perth. (A Liberal succeeds a Liberal. The late member, Mr Robert Wallace, K.C., member for Perth since 1895, resigned on being appointed Chairman of the County of London Sessions. The Unionist party, in recognition of Sir Robert Pullar's personal worth as a citizen, decided not to oppose his election. Sir Robert is senior partner in Pullar's dyeworks,

CABLE NEWS.

By Telegraph—Press Association— Copyright.

Perth, and was created a knight in 1895. He is chairman of the eastern committee of the Scottish Liberal Association, and President of the Perth Liberal Club and Association).