IMPERIAL POLITICS.

Gisborne Times, Volume XXIX, Issue 3200, 22 April 1911, Page 7

IMPERIAL POLITICS.

THE PARLIAMENT BILL. UNIONIST AMENDMENTS REJECTED. PRESS’’ ASSOCIATION—COPYRIGHT.) (Received April 21, 9.50 p.m.) LONDON, April 21. In committee on the Parliament Bill in the House of Commons, -an amendment to clause 2, moved b’v Mr G. Cave, was defeated by 220 to 136. It proposed to make clause 2 only operative after a dissolution, thus ensuring that Home Unite, disestablishment, and licensing should first be approved by the electors. There was another animated debate on a. proposal that the clause should be inoperative in the case of Bills- extending over the duration of Parliament. This was rejected by 235 to 150. GOVERNMENT REFUSES TO ACCEPT AMENDMENTS.

Mr. Asquith said that there were many amendments on the- order paper. To save trouble he wished to make it clear that the Government would not accept any. Between constitutional and other changes, the Government would want- machinery, among other things, in regard to giving effect t-O: Homei Rule for Ireland. It was ridiculous to expect the Government to impose a self denying ordinance. MR. BALFOUR’S CRITICISM. Mr. Balfour argued that any Second Chamber, then was useless. It was monstrous that the House of Commons should make itself omnipotent.

THE VETO BILL IN COMMITTEE. LONDON, April 20.. The House of Commons is engaged in committee, on clause two of the Aeto Bill. Mr Asquith said he intended to pass his clause within a. fortnight, and send the measure to the House of Lords on May 16th. A BY-ELECTION. The by-election for .Haddingtonshire, caused by tihe elevation of Lord Haldane to the House of Lords-, resulted : J. D. Hope (Liberal), 3652; Blytli, 3184. COUNT WITTE ON THE VETO BILL. The “Telegraph” is publishing the views of foreign statesmen on the Veto Bill. Count de Witte says that as a Conservative he sympathises with the House of Lords, and is truly sorry they committed the mistake of rejecting the Budget. Unless he was misinformed the Upper Chamber had managed to burn their fingers in cold water. The Lords had set their face against, reform which’, however, they were now willing t-o acept. THE ALIENS BILL CRITICISED. Sir George Woodman, chairman of the Aliens Board, said that while Mr Churchill’s Bill was .an improvement, he considers that in view of the poverty and misery in England, aliens should not be admitted- at all. He objected to wretched aliens doing the work Englishmen ought to have.