IMPERIAL POLITICS.

Gisborne Times, Volume XXIX, Issue 3184, 1 April 1911, Page 7

IMPERIAL POLITICS.

THE REFERENDUM BILL.

SUPPORTED BY PROMINENT

PEERS

(.UNITED PEESS ASSOCIATION- -COPYRIGHT.] LONDON, March 30. The postponement of Lord Lansdowne’s Bill, is due to the unfavorable state of his health. He takes a month’s holiday in Ireland. In the House l of Lords, Lord Cromer and Lord North-cote supported the Referendum! Bill. Lord Weardale believed that the referendum in a limited form would be an advantage to democracy. A NARROW GOVERNMENT MAJORITY.

In the House of Commons, the Govrenment, by a majority of four, negatived Mr. L. Evans’ motion to closure a minor amendment in the Revenue Bill. The division was 180 to 176. A LICENSING BILL PROMISED. (Received March 31, 10.6 turn.) LONDON, March 31. Mr. Asquith gave a sympathetic reply to a temperance deputation. He said that when the question of the veto was settled, the Licensing Bill of 1908 would be reintroduced. It would not necessarily be identical therewith, hut would be as comprehensive and farreaching.

THE REVENUE BILL. (Received March 31, 11.50 p.m.) LONDON, March 31

The Revenue Bill has been read a third time in the House of Commons. LORD LANSDOWNE’S MOTION

ADOPTED. (Received April 1, 12.30 a.m.) LONDON, March 31. Lord Lansdowne’s resolution in favour of an address to the King was unanimously adopted. Lord Lansdowne explained that the reformed 1 House of Lords might consist of an element chosen by their Lord'ships, a second element nominated, and a third popularly elected, the altogether ensuring a better balancing of parties. Lord Morley said that the assent to the introduction of the resolution did not affect the Government’s future freedom of action.

LORD LANSDOWNE’S PETITION TO THE KINC. GOVERNMENT WILL ADVISE KING TO ASSENT. Lord Morley, in the House of Lords, said Jhe Government would advise the King to assent to Lord Lansdowne’s petition to the King for permission to introduce legislation limiting his powers in regard to the appointment of peers. AN ELECTION DECLARED VOID. The election of Mr. Mathias, Liberal, for Cheltenham, has been declared void.