HOME PARLIAMENT.

Dominion, Volume 1, Issue 110, 1 February 1908, Page 5

HOME PARLIAMENT.

SESSION OPENED. MR. BALFOUR AND MR. ASQUITH. IRISH POLICY ATTACKED. or TELEGRAPH —PRESS ASSOCIATION —COPYRIGHT. London, January 30. At the opening of Parliament by the King yesterday'tho weather was fine, wit-h brilliant sunshine. INCIDENTS—SUFFRACI3TS JOBBED.' As the Royal coach was omerging from Buckingham Palace a member of the AYomen's Freedom League, holding a petition, darted forward, but a policeman bustled her back.' Other members Carried banners inscribed "Votes for "Women." : ' j Olio woman was mobbed, and had her coat and hat destroyed. Tho banners were stripped to shreds. Tho officials in tho House of Lords noticcd a gentleman dressed in scarlet and ermine seated'among tho first to arrive. , When challenged lie produced a document, describing himself as Lord de Morley; but ho was escorted out beforo the Royal procession came. 'It is uhdorstood that ho is ihe claimant to the peerage. The scene in the House of . Lords was imprtaivo'. 'Tho Prince and Princess of "Wales were present.. BALKANS AND THE CONGO—THE colour Problem. The King's Spcccli, in 'addition to matters previously cabled, stated that Britain- had made further proposals to Turkey and the Powers for dealing effectively with- the principal clauses of tho disturbance in Macedonia. It was, hoped. that the negotiationsproceeding between the Sovereign- of the Congo State and the" Belgian' Government would secure humane administration, in accordance with - the spiritof tho Berlin Act. Tho Spocch mentioned'• hopefully the negotiations to refer the Newfoundland fisheries question to The Hague. Tho recent difficulty- respecting Japanese immigration into.Canada,, it was added, had been settled on terms., agreed'upon between the respective Governments. . Reference was made to the relief, measures proposed in reference to India. ■ •OLD ACE PENSIONS. It was announced to the House of Commons, in connection with the financial arrangements' for the. year, that proposals would bo introduced for making- better provision for old ago, and legislation, with thai object would be submitted. .' . The Specch 'stated that Britain and Russia hid been able, ••notwithstanding: tho disturbances and; complications in Persia, to maintain a peaceful policy. , • The Government was 'considering, tho ques tiori of inviting tlie maritime nations -to s confercnce - in. London in the autumn, to conic to an understanding -on certain important point's, of. international, law, for tho guidanci of the .projected International. Court of Ap • peal- in 'prize-, cases. •• IN THE LORDS. > ,' Tho Address-in-Rei)ly to the Specch from tho Throne' was 'moral in tho,House of Lords 1 by :Lord,Airedale, and was; seconded by Lord .Nunburnholn-.c.

Tho'.'Marquis oi :Lansdowne, .who was Foreign Secretary;]!! Mr. jjalfour's Ministry, agreed' as to tlje good'cffects of the-Anglo-Russiah Agreement. 1 This Speech, Jio said; ignored tho deplorable and scandalous condition of Ireland in regard to cattle-driving, which' was purely selfish and unconnected with,tho refusal of Homo llulo,. ~!.' :' . Tlio-Marquis contended that tlio omission of'any'-mention-'in' tho Speech- of a'proposal dealing .with the relations of the two Houses was' unfair to Parliament and.the country after so many wild appeals to prejudice. Ho cKallen'ged the production of a scheme—not in tho last hours of tho session. -If tlio .Government accepted lliis . suggestion, to introduce measures in, adequate time, no. Wjint. of consideration would bo shown tho 'Government on his side of tho House. . . - Tho Marquis of Ripon, Lord Privy Seal,, praised Canada's attitude in, regard. to Japaneso wnmigration. Ho denied tliat Coercioii Acts .had furnished a remedy for the Irish difliculty, 1 and: strongly argued , for redress of Irish grievances. Ho added thattho Opposition driginatcd the dbctrino of governing according to Irish ideas. . Tho debato was adjourned./ , " - MB. BALFOUR'S ATTACK IN THE COMMONS. / /\ ' ' • Tho Address-in-Rcply in tho Houso of Commons was-moved by Mr. R.' 0. Lchmann,memberjor Harborough,..and seconded by - Mi-.' Howell Davies, M.P. ,for Bristol. '■ .Mr. A. J. Balfour, Leader of tlio Opposition, after a sympathetic referenco :to tho absence of Sir H. Campbcll-Bannerman,' the Primo, ;-Minister ~(who is suffering -from;' a cold),.paid, a tribute lato Sir J. L. 'Walton, Attorney-General. ....... ; ■ Dealing with tho Speech, Mr. Balfour said ho feared tho -.absence' of safeguards of British trado in Persia", and inquired as to tlio .protection of women and children in i tlio New Hebrides.

Ho' feared tho length of tlio Government's

Bills implied a limitless uso of tho closure. If 'minorities must suffer, it was tho duty

of a . good administration to see that they did not suffer from cattle-driving, being.shot in tiie legs, or. boycotted so that they, wero unahlo'to live or to bo buried. Mr. Balfour added that the Secretary for Ireland (Mr. 1 Birroll) had recently almost suggested tho founding, on' the failure 'to maintain law and ordor in Ireland, of a case for a forthcoming Homo Rule resolution. Such a thing, said Mr. Balfour, was utterly repugnant to tho best feelings of, our countrymen. THE CHANCELLOR REPLIES. Tlio Right Hon. H. Asquith, Chancellor of tho Exchequer, replying, snid a real and definito agreement \yith Russia was removing tho; sources of danger to peace, which Was so important that tho agreement was justified, even if it wero shown that in this or that direction Russia obtained ali advantage. H<i believed there was adequato safeguard for British trade.' Continuing, Mr. Asquith said there was good reason to hope for all early agreement in tho Transvaal; which would remove all Just oausos of Indian grievances. ' i Further instruction!! for . framing future regulations regarding treatment of natives in the Now Hebrides had been sent to tlio commissioners, who would study on the spot the host modo of realising what, was necessary. . Mr. Asquith indignantly repudiated Mr. Balfour's charge against Mr. ■Birrell. No Chief Secretary would ask for exceptional powers to deal with tho present disorders. Tho Speaker' overruled Mr. Redmond's attempt to obtain a Select Committee to inquire into tho ciroumstn'jcca of Mr, GiiineTl's conviction.