THE POLITICAL CRISIS.

Auckland Star, Volume XLI, Issue 48, 25 February 1910, Page 5

THE POLITICAL CRISIS.

CHAMBERLAIN'S AMENDMENT. CLOSE DIVISION POSSIBLE. NATIONALISTS WILL NOT VOTE (By Cable.—Press Association.—CopYriKhU LONDON, February 24. In the House of Commons to-day Mr. Austen Chamberlain moved his amendment to the Address-in-Reply, regretting the omission from the King's Speech of proposals for enlarging the market for British and Irish produce, and increasing the demand for labour by a reform of the fiscal system. Mr. Chamberlain declared that Britain had banged the door in the faces of the self-governing dominions, and refused fiscal negotiations with them. Others had been less squeamish. If Britain refused their advances the dominions would be irresistibly drawn into treaties they could not make with Britain. Mr. Sydney Buxton (President of the Board oi Vrade) said the Government •appreciated the offers of preference, but the position was difficult. The colonies proposed a rebate in Britain's favour, but at the same time asked that the food of the people should be taxed. There is a possibility of a close division on Mr. Chamberlain's amendment. The Nationalists will abstain from voting, and the O'BrierrHes will support the Opposition. The Government will move on Monday to take all the time of the House until Easter. ELECTIVE SECOND CHAMBEB. SIR E. GREY'S SCHEME. LONDON, February 24. Lobby reports credit Sir Edward Grey (Foreign Secretary) with preparing a scheme for an elective second chamber. ! Sir Charles Dilke publicly stated in the lobby that elective elements would make j the House of Lords infinitely worse, and ■ that the Government wonld not have a I single supporter in reforming the Upper Chamber on those lines. Scottish Liberals, at a further meeting, urged the Cabinet to adhere to the late Sir Henry Campbell-Bannerman's veto resolution. Sir J. H. Dalziel has given notice of an amendment, "That inasmuch as the ; electorate has given no mandate for the reform of the Lords, the House declines to grant facilities for a discussion on the resolution having this object in view." ! An important debate is expected. I Hon. Tvot C. Guest (Liberal member J for Cardiff) has been appointed Paymas-ter-General. DEMOCRATIC BY-ELECTIO3J. COL. SEELY'S SUGGESTIONS. LONDON, February 24. Colonel Seely (Under-Seeretary for the Colonies), who was defeated at the general election, speaking at Ilkeston, where Jhe is seeking election, the elected member having resigned in his favour, said the policies of abolishing the hereditary principle and limiting the Lords' power lof veto are interdependent. Thfere ought to !be fewer members in the Upper House, ' and all should be elected on a basis as i democratic as that for the election of I the Commons.

These principles, said Colonel Secly, followed the most recent constitutions formed in the British Empire, and deadlocks were thus avoided. It was noteworthy that a large proportion of the Australian senators were Labour members. Colonel nfeely's speech has aroused strong opposition in Radical circles. TREASURY BtULS. COI/LARING THE SINKING FUND. LONDON, February 24. The Treasury paid an average of 2J per cent for £4.000,000 worth of Treasury bills sold yesterday, thongh tho market rate for March bills was 1 1 per cent. It is> rumoured that the Bank of England tendered at the last moment to pre vent the failure of the issue. The poor price caused three months bills to rise from 2 5-1 C per cent to 21 per cent. The "Daily Telegraph" protests against the Government's intention, as indicated by Lord Crewe, to take the whole of tho balance of the sinking fund, which is estimated at £10.000.000, in order to mnke up the expected deficiency in the Budget. NO HOME RTJIE THIS YEAR. (Received 8.45 a.m.) LONDON, February 24. In the House of Commons. Mr. Asquith, replying to Captain Craig, stated that ;he Government had no intention of iniroducing Home Kule this session.