British Politics.

Hastings Standard, Volume IX, Issue 5148, 15 March 1906, Page 4

British Politics.

THE FISCAL DEBATE. (1 J United Press Assn. —Copyright). Received March It. 10.-0 p.m London, March 11 Tu The House of Commons, the debute was continued on Sit- J. Kitson's motion that the people at the recent had demonstrated their tuii|ualified lidelity Co the principles and practice of Freetrade, and recording u determination to resist any proposal, whether a tax on corn or a general tarill. calculated to create in Great Britain a system ol : Protection. Mr Stuart Wonley moved an amendment 10 omit all gratuitous reference to Freetrade. Mr Iveir Hardie opposed the amendment equally with the resolution, and contradicted tlic statement that Freetrade was the sole issue at the recent elections. lie protested that the debate was occupying time which might have been profitably spent in redeeming some of the promises oil the strength of which the Government won so handsomely at the elections. Mr Wyndham moved that after tl\e word •' proposal tlie resolution should conclude as follows : —•" Involving artificial protection against legitimate competition, but is prepared to consider any scheme trained to secure more equal terms of competition for British trade, and closer commercial union with the colonies for the purposes of revenue." lie contended that l 1 leetraders tolerated a protective system in India, where the duty hud been lowered for thebenefit of Manchester, but objected to make changes in Great Britain which would enable the Motherland to secure advantages in the colonies. The present system was doomed. They must have a system giving fair returns for the workers at home, while fostering the organic evolution of the Empire abroad. Sir Henry Campbell-Bannerman immediately, amid cries of "Gag" and " Shame," secured the closure by 471 votes to 123. Sir.J. Kitson's motion was carried bv 474 votes to '.IS. Mr Stuart Wortley's amendment to ornit all gratuitous reference to Freetrade was negatived after an acrimonious debate. The Speaker declared that Mr iJobson was guilty of irrelevancy. Mr liobson's remark was that the Chinese labour pictures understated the truth, and ought to have represented a Chinaman on a block suilering the lash, the Chinaman being laid there by the hand of the English Governor. FKANKINC. CORRESPONDENCE. Received March 1-3. d.'i" a.m London, March 1 I The Premier declined to appoint a committer to consider the revival of the privilege of franking members' correspondence. TRADE DISI'ITES. Received March I<S.«'}4 a.m London, March 14 Mr Gladstone informed a deputation of the Employers' Parliamentary Committee on the forthcoming Trade Disputes Bill that he intended to give all reasonable protection to everybody in the execution of his lawM business. Admittedly opinion on picketing differed, but he hoped and believed that strikes and lock-outs would ultimately become obsolete. He did not forget there were other interests besides those of labour. The Government would view the whole question from the standpoint of public policy.