BRITISH POLITICS.

Wairarapa Age, Volume XXIX, Issue 8371, 2 March 1907, Page 5

BRITISH POLITICS.

BRIGG BY-ELECTION. Received March 1, 8.56 a.m. LONDON, February 28. The election for the Brigg division of Lincolnshire—which seat the Liberals had held since 1895, and which has now been wrested from them by Sir Berkeley Sheffield (Conservative) by 116 votes—was fought largely on the tariff question. Sir Berkeley Sheffield is a popular local lardlord. While he expressed doubt of the possibility of food taxation, he favoured preference to the colonies. His opponent was a new convert to Liberalism, who had .been thrice-de-feated since the general elections. , f (Sir Berkeley Sheffield owns a'ouut 11,000 acres, is a captain of Yeomanry, and was attache to the French Embassy, Paris.) AUSTRALIAN STATES CONSTITUTION BILL. Received This Morning, 1.2 o'clock. LONDON, March 1. The Australian States Constitution Bill has passed through committee in the House of Lords. NAVY ESTIMATES. / Received March 1, 10.47 p.m. LONDON, March 1. Tlie Navy Estimates provide for the reduction of 1,000 men, and a reduction of £1,427,091 in building. The new vessels to be constructed will cost £8,100,000, and will include two, or in the absence of an understanding between the Naval Powers at the forthcoming Hague Conference, three Dreadnoughts, with a slightly larger displacement.