IMPERIAL POLITICS.

Gisborne Times, Volume XXVIII, Issue 2734, 12 February 1910, Page 5

IMPERIAL POLITICS.

THE LABOR CONFERENCE—GERMAN GREETINGS.

United Press Association—Copyright LONDON, Feb. 10.

The German Social Democratic party telegraphed fraternal greetings to the Newport Labor Conference, and congratulations on the successes at the polls despite the naval scare.

ICIER HARDIE ON THE ELECTION RESULTS.

Mr ICier Hardie, in his chairman’s address, said he did not pretend to be satisfied with the results. He complained that the Irish vote in threecornered contests would be given to the Liberals. It was likely that Home Rule would be secured while the heads of the Irish organisation had bludgeoned down the Labor candidates. Th°e Labor party must maintain complete freedom of action in the House of Commons and constituencies. “The treatment meted out to the Labor candidates during the election was not,” he said, “of a kind to predispose us "towards undue friendly relationship with the Liberals.” The talk about weakening the House of Lords was, he 'declared, toying with democracy. He demanded the abolition of the second Chamber.

BEN TILLET MAKES A SCENE. Mr Ben Tillet caused a scene at the Labor Conference by accusing Mr Henderson of blackguardism, and complaining that the Labor leaders supported Mr Mond’s candidature for Swansea. He added: “Mond deliberately tried to bribe me.”

THE HOUSE OF LORDS—MR GRIFFITHS’ PROPOSAL.

MELBOURNE, Feb. 11

Mr Deakin, in reply to the “Daily Mail’s” enquiry for his opinion of Mr Norton Griffiths’ proposal in reference to the House of Lords, says he prefers not to criticise a scheme so vague.

Mr Fisher, Labor leader, cabled: “I think any attempt to drag the dominions into the constitutional dispute between the Lords and Commons is unstatesmanlike and mischievous.”

[Mr Griffiths, M. P. for Wednesbury, writing to the “Daily Mail” proposed that the Upper House be curtailed to 200, the colonies being asked to nominate 40 members, to act when on Imperial work, Canada to have 10, Australia 8, and the others proportionally.]

AX ELECTION RESULT. LONDON, Feb. 10. The election for Edinburgh and St. Andrew’s Universities resulted: Finlay 2ot>3. [At the last election Sir -J. B. Tuke (Conservative) was returned.]

A THREAT FROM MR. REDMOND

(Received February 11. 10.20 p.m.) LONDON, Feb. 11.

Mr. Redmond, speaking at Dublin, declared that sending the Budget to the Lords before dealing with the veto, would give the whole case against the Lords away, disgust every British de-. mocrat, and break unashamedly the explicit pledge, on the faith of which Ireland had promised her support. Mr Asquith had promised never to assume nor retain office unless he received assurances that he would be able to curb the Lords’ veto. If .he wavered in Ins purpose and faltered in his pledges, Mr Asquith would drive the Liberals into the wilderness for twenty years. The policy of passing the Budget and adjourning the question of the veto was one which Ireland cannot and will not approve.

SIGNIFICENT MINISTERIAL UTTERANCE.

A short Cabinet cpilncil was held yes

terday

Dr. McNamara, speaking at Camberwell, said that the Budget was going to become law in double-quick time.

LORD ONSLOW’S OPINIONS

Lord Onslow, in further discussing the question, declared that everyone was favorable to reform of the House of Lords. He would welcome representatives from overseas, but it would be difficult to make the proposal acceptable to the colonies. Politicians cannot be long absent, and retired politicians would get out of touch with "the Dominions. Moreover, democratic sentiment was against titular honors. He suggests, instead of the Judicial ; Committee, that colonial appeals should be decided by the Lords with colonial jurists assisting. He recommends that the dominions discuss the subject and express an opinion as to how their interests can be voiced in the Imperial (Parliament.