IMPERIAL POLITICS.

Lyttelton Times, Volume CXVI, Issue 14222, 19 November 1906, Page 7

IMPERIAL POLITICS.

THE MERCHANT SHIPPING BILL NEW HEBRIDES LEGAL APPOINTMENTS. United Press Association—By Electric Telegraph—Copyright. LONDON, November 16. In tho House of Commons, in the debate on the Merchant Shipping Bill, Air Havelock Wilson moved an amendment to give Lascars outside tho tropics tho same space in ' the forecastles in British ships as- that allotted to British seamen. The amendment wa© negatived by 248 to 105. Air Lloyd George declared.that such an onerous amendment would lead to the exclusion of Lascars, which was Air Wilson’s object in imposing upon. British ship-owners such a tremendous disability. LONDON, November 17. Air Lloyd George’s proposals in tho Shipping Bill, enabling the Board of Trade to appoint and control superintendents, clerks and servants in mercantile marine offices, were adopted, also a. new clause, providing that if anybody by false representations induces or attempts to induce a person to emigrate or engage a- steerage passage he shall be liable to a fine for each offence of £SO, or imprisonment for three months. Air Winston Churchill announced that members of the Australian Bar would be eligible for legal appointments in the New Hebrides, and their applications would bo considered along with others suitable. THE FEAIALE FRANCHISE. AVAR OFFICE CONTRACTS. LONDON, November 16. Rain stopped the Suffragists’ intended raid on the House of Commons yesterday. - LONDON, November 17. , . Air John Burns, replying to- a deputation. of suffragettes, stated that until Air Keir Hardie’s Women’s Enfranchisement Bill had been read a second time next session the Government would be unable to express an opinion as to its prospects of passing this Parliament. Air R. 8.. Haldane, Secretary for AVar, states that restrictions of a preferential or protective character are being removed from War Office contracts, in accordance with the Government’s free trade policy. A BY-ELECTION. (Received November 18, 4.58 p.m.) LONDON, November 17. Air Aloore, Unionist, has been elected for North Armagh by 4229, Air Crawford, Independent Orangeman, polled 1453. (Tho vacancy for North Armagh was caused through tho death of Colonel the Right Hon E. J. Saunderson (Conservative), who had represented the constituency since 1885. At the general election in January Colonel Sauudereon was returned unopposed.)