BRITISH PARLIAMENT.

Wairarapa Age, Volume XXXI, Issue 9044, 1 February 1908, Page 5

BRITISH PARLIAMENT.

CABLE NEWS.

United Press Association -By Electric Telegraph Copyright.

OPENING CEREMONY. WOMEN SUFFRAGETTES "DEMONSTRATE." CLAIMANT TO A PEERAGE. BRILLIANT SCENE IN THE LORDS. Received January 31, 9.30 a.m. LONDON, January 30. At the opening of Parliament by the King yesterday the weather was fine, with brilliant sunshine. As the Royal coach was emerging from Buckingham Pahce a member of the Women's Freedom League, holding a petition, darted forward, but a policeman bustled her back. Other members carried banners inscribed "Votes for Women." One woman was mobbed, and had her coat and , hat destroyed. The banners were stripped to shreds. The officials in the House of Lords noticed a gentleman dressed in scarlet and ermine seated among the first to arrive. When challenged he produced a document, describing himself as Lord de Morley; but he was escorted out before the Royal procession came. It is understood that he is the claimant to the'peerage. The scene in the House of Lords was impressive. The Prince and Princess of Wales were present. THE ADDRESS IN REPLY.

DEBATE IN THE LORDS. GOVERNMENT POLICY REVIEWED. Received January 31, 8.4 a. LONDON, January 30. The Address-in-Reply to the Speech from the Throne was moved in the House of Lords by Lord Airedale, and seconded by Lord NunburnhoJme. The Marquis of Lansdowne, who was Foreign Secretary in Mr Balfour's Ministry, agreed as to the good effect of the 'Anglo-Russian agree ment. The Speech ignored the deplorable and scandabus condition of Ireland in regard to cattle-driving, which was purely selfish and unconnicted with the refusal of Home Ru'e. The omission of any mention in the Speech of a proposal dealing with the relations of the two Houses was unfair to Parliament and the country after so many wild appeals to prejudice. He challenged the production of a scheme —not in the last hours of the session. If the Government accepted his suggestion to introduce measures in adequate time, no want; of consideration would be shown the Government on his side of the House. The Marquis of Ripon, Lord Frivy Seal, praised Canada's attitude in regard to Japanese immigration. He denied that Coercion "Acts had furnished a remedy for the Irish difficulty, and strongly argued for redress of Irish grievances. He added that the Opposition originated the doctrine of governing according to Irisii ideas. The debate was adjouvnod, IN THE COMMONS. SPEECH BY MR BALFOUR. THE DISORDERS IN IRELAND. Received January 31, 9.3 a.m. LONDON, January 30. The Addresp-in-lieply was moved by Mr R. C. Lehmann, member for Harborough, and seconded by Mr Howell Davies, M.P. for Bristol. Mr A. J. Balfour, after a sympathetic reference to the absence of Sir H. Campbell-Bannerman the Prime Minister, paid a tribute to the late Sir J. L. Walton. Dealing with the Speech, Mr Balfour sail he feared the absence of safeguards of British trade in Persia, and enquired ,as to the protection of women and children in the New Hebrides. He feared the length of the Government's Bills implied a limitless use of the closure. If minorities must suffer, it was the duty of a good administration to see that they did not suffer from cattle-driving, being shot in the legs, or boycotted so that they were unable to live or be buried. Mr Birrell recently almost suggested the founding on the failure to maintain law and order in Ireland a case for a forthcoming Home Rule resolution. Such a thing, said Mr Balfour, was utterly repugnant to the best feelings of our countrymen.

MR ASQUITH'S REPLY. THE AGREEMENT WITH RUSSIA. THE TRANSVAAL INDIAN GRIEVANCES. DEFENCE OF MR BIRtIELL. Received Janrary 31, 9.50 a.m. LONDON, January 30, The Right Hon. H. Asquith, Chancellor of the Exchequer, said a real and definite agreement with Russia was removing the sources of danger to peace, which was so important that the agreement was justified, even if it were shown that in this or that direction Russia obtained an advantage. He believed there was adequate safeguard for British trade. Continuing, Mr Asquith said there was good reason to hope for an early agreement in the Transvaal, which would remove all just causes of Indian grievances. Further instructions for framing future regulations rcgaiding' treatment of natives in the New Hebrides had been sent to the commissioners, who would study on the spot the best mode of realising what was necessary. Mr Asquith indignantly x-epudiated Mr Balfour's charge against Mr Birrell. No Chief Secretary would ask for exceptional powers to deal with the present d J sorders.

POINTS IN THE SPEECH." REFERENCES TO FOREIGN AFFAIRS. MACEDONIA AND CONGO STATE. Received January 31, 9.30 a.m. LONDON, January 30. The King's Speech stated that Britain had made further proposals to Turkey ana the Powers for dealing effectively with the principal causes of the disturbance in Macedonia. It was hoped that the negotiations proceeding between the Sovereign of the Congo State and the. Belgian Government would secure humane administration, in accordance with the spirit of tho Berlin Act. The Speech mentioned hopefully the negotiations to refer the Newfoundland fisheries question to The Hague. The recent difficulty respecting Japanese immigration into Canada, it was added, had been settled on terms agreed upon between thf. respective Governments. Reference was made to the relief measures proposed in reference tu India. It was announced to the House of Commons, in connection with the financial arrangements for the year, that proposals would be introduced for making better provision for oldage, and legislation with that object would be submitted. PERSIAN COMPLICATIONS. Received January 31. 8.33 a.m. LONDON, January 30. The Speech stated that Britain and Russia had been able, notwithstanding the disturbances and complications in Persia, to maintain a peaceful policy. The Government was considering the question of inviting the maritime nations to a conference in London in the autumn, to come to an understanding on certain important points of international L«w, for the guidance of the projected International Court of Appeal in prize cases, i OLD AGE. PENSIONS. LABOUR PARTY WILL OPPOSE FURTHER BURDENS. Recieved January 31, 4.23 p.m. LONDON, January 30. Mr Arthur Henderson, Labour M.P. for Durham, referring in the House cf Commons to pensions, said that if the Government meant to'impose heavier burdens upon the poor lafco :rer it would be the policy of the Labour Party to resist this by all means in their power. The Hon. H. H. [Asquith. Chancellor of the Exchequer, die! not reply ! to Mr Henderson's remarks. (Mr Henderson is the Labour Whip )