IMPERIAL POLITICS.

Gisborne Times, Volume XXIX, Issue 3154, 25 February 1911, Page 7

IMPERIAL POLITICS.

PROCEEDINGS IN PARLIAMENT. ATTACK ON THE GOCOA DUTIES. f UNITED PRESS ASSOCIATION-COPYRIGHT.J LONDON, Feb. 23. Rad cal members of the House of Commons are promotirfg a petition forthe abolition of the chocolate- and cocoa duties, amounting to £300,000. THE LORDS’ RECONSTRUCTION. The House of Lords’ Reconstruction Bill promoted by Unionists will probably follow Lord Curzon’s scheme, with modifications on the lines of Lord Lansdowne’s proposals. A REFERENDUM BILL.' Lord Balfour of Burleigh will introduce a. referendum measure on March 2nd, and the Declaration of London will be debated by the House of Lords on March Stli. AN ELECTION DECLARED VOID.. The North Louth election has been declared void on the ground of corrupt practices', and bribery, although Air Hazleton, who defeated Air Tim Healy, at the election, was not personally liable. A BY-ELECTION. The election for Westbury in place of Sir J. Fuller, who has been appointed Governor of Victoria, resulted : Howard (Liberal), 5073; G. L. Palmer (Un onist) 4492. REFORM OF THE LORDS. In the House of, Commons. Air. Austen Chamberlain gave notice of an amendment that the House of Commons welcomes a. Bill re-forming the composition of the House of Lords, while maintaining its independence, but declines to proceed with a measure Macing all effective legislative authority in a. single Chamber without safeguard, such grave changes being contrary to the people’s will.