BRITISH POLITICS.

Wairarapa Age, Volume XXXI, Issue 9081, 4 May 1908, Page 5

BRITISH POLITICS.

United Press Association— Bv Electric Telegraph Copyright,

THE DUNDEE ELECTION. MR KEIR HARDIE'S OPINION. LONDON, May 1. Mr Keir Hardie, leader of the Labour party in the House of Commons, referring to the Dundee election, declared that with Mr Stuart (?Sheard) as a candidate, the electors were unlikely to welcome the slippery young gentleman with a fatal facility for making promise, whom Manchester had turned adrift after a fair trial. Mr Keir Hardie recently visited New Zealand and delivered addresses on political and social subjects. COST OF ADMINISTRATION. LONDON, May 1. Mr Harold Cox, Liberal member for Preston, and formerly secretary of the Cobden Club, emphasises the fact that the civil service and the revenue departments cost five millions per annum more than under the late Government. SHOP HOURS BILL. Received May '6, 4.10 p.m. LONDON, May 2. The Shop Hours Bill was read a second time by 190 votes to 45, and referred to a committee of the whole House. SIR J. BRUNNER'S SPEECH.*" CAUSING A SENSATION. Received May 3, 4.40 p.m. LONDON, May 2. Sir J. Brunner's speech is causing a sensation. The "Daily News" interpretes it as an appeal for the improvement of the port of London, reform of the railway adminstration, and a revival of the canal system. Sir John Brunner, Liberal M.P. for Cheshire, presiding at an enthusiastic meeting of the Liberal party, on Thursday, advised the Government to abandon the Manchester policy of laissez faire, since the Tory party had absolutely convinced the mercantile community that it meant to make a big effort for the benefit of trade when it regained power. He advised the Government to adopt a liberal, sane, wholesome, and sound trade policy, because when bad times came the mercantile community would accept an offer from the other side, if the Liberals made none.