IMPERIAL PARLIAMENT.

Evening Star, Issue 12768, 22 March 1906, Page 7

IMPERIAL PARLIAMENT.

Prtai Association— By Telegraph-Copyright. THE SttLNER CENSURE MOTION. tHE GOVERNMENT INTERVENE. - LONDON, March 21. (Received March 22, at 8.43 a.m.) Thirty-nine iriwspapets publish further cablegrams of protest against the proposed jhotibfl of censure on Lord Milner. In connection with the flogging incident, the Government have proposed an .amendment io Mr ByleS’s motion, declaring that the flogging of Chinese is a breach of the law, but that they desire, in the interests of condlation, to refrain from censuring indimdttals. ' ' THE GOVERNMENT STAND FIRM. THE LAST WORD RESTS WITH THEM. LONDON, March 21. (Received March 22, at 8.43 a.m.) Mr Winston Churchill, Under-Secretary for tho Colonies, stated in the House of Commons that it was improbable that existing licenses would expire before the Transvaal was a self-governing colony. Reenlistmeht under the existing Ordinance was impossible. The whole matter would be reconsidered by the future Transvaal Assembly, and every circumstance would be subject to the general review of the Horte Government. CRITICISING MR CHURCHILL. LONDON, March 21. Mr Ramsay Macdonald, the Labor member for Leicester, who strongly condemned the introduction of Chinese into South Africa during his political campaign, in a letter to the Press says that unless the Cabinet muzzles Mr Winston Churchill it will involve itself in a disastrous conflict with the colonies. Mr Churchill, according to the writer, had obtained office far too soon. He spoke like an irresponsible person, and was guilty of very blundering statesmanship. The Government ought to appoint a Commission to inquire into the mining conditions in South Africa, and to make no change in the political condition of the country until the Commission had reported. A SHIPPING BILL. EQUALISING CONDITIONS. LONDON, March 21. In the House of Commons a Bill, introduced by Mr Lloyd-George, President of tbo Board of Trade, amending the Shipping Acts was rend a first time. The measure, which was very favorably received, applies the British regulations respecting overloading, unseaworthiness, stowage of grain, and the use of life-saving appliances to foreign ships. The Minister admitted that shipowners were subjected to grossly unfair foreign competition. He stated that the mercantile marine included 176,000 Britons, 39,000 aliens, and 42,000 lascars. If the engagement of foreign seamen was prohibited there was a risk of raining the industry. He described the lascars as very intelligent, sober, courageous, hereditary seamen and British subjects. who, being deprived by us of their coastal trade, claimed a place in the mercantile marine. He intended to insist on foreigners satisfying the Board of Trade that they understood English words of command, and to enforce the minimum standard of food, the employment of certificated cooks, inspection of provisions, and appoint advisory committees to assist the department in preparing regulations. A FORWARD STEP. LONDON, March 21. (Received March 22. at 7.36 a.m.) Mr J. Havelock Wilson, M.P., general secretary of the National Seamen’s Union, says that Mr Lloyd-George’s Bill is a step in the right direction. He considers that Australasian legislation in this matter is in advance of British. / FREE MEALS FOR SCHOOL CHILDREN. LONDON, March 21. The Committee appointed by the House of Commons to deal with the question of free meals for school children resolved that the official report of the Committee on Physical Deterioration showed that it was unnecessary to call evidence to prove the need of providing for scholars suffering from malnutrition and lack of food. The Committee throw the responsibility of providing meals upon the local educational rates. THE TELEGRAPH DEPARTMENT. LONDON, March 21. (Received March 22, at 8.43 a.m.) The loss on the Telegraph Service of the United Kingdom for the year ended last March was £987,007.