IMPERIAL POLITICS.

Gisborne Times, Volume XXVII, Issue 2677, 6 December 1909, Page 5

IMPERIAL POLITICS.

... . V j;:.—' . . : GABLE NEWS.

THE GOVERNMENT’S FINANCIAL ARRANGEMENTS. \ /A (Jnitrd Pit gas Absolution —Copyright. (Received December 5, 5.5 p.m.) ; LONDON Dec. 3. Sir Julius Werner, addressing tbe shareholders in Fraser and Chalmers; advocated tariff reform. He was previously a leading freetrader. The Labor party seem ill-disposed to agree to Mr Pease’s proposal for the avoidance of triangular party contests. [Mr Pease suggested that the Liberal and Labor candidates should not clash in the election contests, each party .being allowed a free hand where its representatives already had possession of the seat.] , The Tea Buyers’ Association, including all large firms, have agreed to pay duty during tile interregnum on- the understanding that the amount will be returned if not reimposed or not made retrospective. Tbe Government has arranged to receive new Customs excise duties, subject to any refunding according to next Parliament’s decisions. This will involve little, if any, loss of revenue. The “Times’ Stock Exchange article, dealing with gilt-edged securities, states that on Thursday the bears were most active on the market. The bears, who had anticipated financial chaos, sought to cover stock. The King’s speech, in proroguing Parliament, thanks the Commons for providing national expenditure, but re. grets that the provision has proved unavailing. DISSOLUTION FIXED FOR JANUARY BTH. LONDON, Dec. 4. The official dissolution of Parliament takes place on January Bth, and the writs will be issued the same day. The earliest polling in boroughs will take place on January 13tli. At Lord Curzon’s initiative, many Peers are arranging to participate in the election campaign prior to the issue of the writs. „>

THE KING’S PROROGATION

SPEECH

The King’s speech proroguing Parliament mentioned the friendly relations with foreign Powers, the satisfactory progress of Turkey’s constitutional regime, also the renewal of arbitration conventions with Germany, Sweden, Norway, Switzerland, Portugal, and other conventions in progress of renewal,, and spoke hopefully of the new Council for India. The speech said that. His Majesty was convinced that the union of South Africa adds strength to that country, and that the Imperial Defence Conference had been to tbe great mutual advantage of tbe Motherland and the oversea dominions. As the outcome of its deliberations it might confidently be expected that the capability of those dominions would be preserved, and tlieir unity promoted. Tbe speech concluded by recounting all the important legislation passed during the year, mentioning tbe Irish Land Bill, the Housing and Town-planning Bill, and the establishment of Labor Exchanges.