BRITISH POLITICS.

Press, Volume XLVIII, Issue 14512, 19 December 1912, Page 7

BRITISH POLITICS.

WELSH DISESTABLISHMENT BILL. AN ACRIMONIOUS DEBATE. United Press Association—By Eleetrio Telegraph—Copyright. (Received December 18th, 10.4.5 p.m.) LONT>ON, December, 18. In the House of Commons tho clauses in the Welsh Disestablishment Bill, dealing with Church money prior to 1662, were the subject of an acrimonious debate. Lord Robert Cecil declared that often a man with tho touch of hell-fire on his brow gave money to the Church. Mr F. H. Booth objected to the contention that the bulk of the money came from men feeling singed. Mr John Ward objected to the Government's hard bargain. He was opposed to the secularisation of religious funds. Mr R. McKenna intimated that the Government was prepared to aoeept the two Liberal amendments, leaving Queen Anne's bounty intact. Tlu's concession, involving £15,000, inflamed the Welsh Radicals, who subsequently decided to voto against the proposal. Lord Robert Cecil's amendment to appoint a committee of jurists to decide what private benefactions were mado prior to 1662 was negatived.

CABLE CONCESSIONS.

(Received December 19th, 12.5 a.m.) LONDON, December 18. Mr H. Samuel, in reply to a question, said that tho Government would not answer Australia's request for a subsidiary conference until tho reduction in the Atlantic cable rates. He added that- further reductions were contemplated on January Ist.