IMPERIAL POLITICS.

Sun (Christchurch), Volume 1, Issue 8, 14 February 1914, Page 5 (Supplement)

IMPERIAL POLITICS.

GOVERNMENT'S INTENTIONS.

By Cable.- — Press Association. — Copyright (Received February 14, 1.30 p.m.) LONDON, February 13.

The Parliamentary Committee of the Trade Union Congress waited on Mr Asquith to urge the nationalisation of the railways, and the introduction of woman's suffrage. Mr Asquith replied that State acquisition would inevitably be followed by a demand for a reduction in fares and rates, and a request by the employees for shorter hours and increased wages. A Eoyal Commission is enquiring into the question, the ultimate determination of which might well be left until that report was presented. He declined to introduce a Suffrage Bill. Mr Leif Jones, in the House of Commons, moved an amendment regretting that there was no reference to any intention to introduce a Temperance Eeform Bill. Mr Asquith replied that it was impossible to pass such a measure this but it was the intention of the Government, within the lifetime of the present Parliament, to prosecute legislation of this kind.