NEWS OF THE WORLD.

Mataura Ensign, 28 January 1911, Page 6

NEWS OF THE WORLD.

THE HOME RULE QUESTION. BY fiLfiCTRIC TELEGRAPH.—-COPYRIGHT. PER UNITED PRESS ASSOCIATION. LONDON, Jan. 27. Mr John Redmond (chairmap. of the Nationalist Parliamentary -'Party) in a magazine article declines to assent to the postponement of Home Rule until England, Scotland and Wales want Parliaments. He says: "Nationalists do not object to Federalism as an ultimate aimj, but Ireland must have a Constitution immediately." Mr Joseph Chamberlain, speaking at; Birmingham, declared that it was unthinkable that the Lords would, pass the Parliament.Bill. It would be unconstitutional for the Government to advise the creation of peers to coerce them. ; Sir J. A. Simon (Solicitor-General), • speaking at Braintree. said that the Government's Bill was definite .arid precise. It did not involve the abolition of the Second Chamber, but submission to the deliberate and reiterated will of the nation. -A referendum had a democratic air, but it involved Connemara peasants voting on English education. It- would destroy the responsibility of 1 members of Parliament and Ministers of the Crown. CANADA AND THE STATES. THE RECIPROCITY AGREEMENT. OTTAWA, Jan. 27. Hon. W. S. Fielding (Minister for Finance) made aii announcement in the Canadian House of Commons regarging the .reciprocity which had been made between the United States arid Canada. Wheat and other grains, dairy produce, fresh fruits, fish, eggs, poultry, cattle, sheep and vegetables will be reciprocally free. Canada places on' the free list cotton-seed oil and the United States free list will include lumber. Canada removes the restrictions on : the exportation of pulp wood and raw. materials, and mica, gypsum, 'etc., are made free. The rates on secondary rair products are reduced, also those on an extensive list of manufactures. Canada lowers* the tfriff on agricultural machinery. . - REDUCE COST pF LIVING. . t , NEW YORK. Jan. 27. President 'Taft in a message to Congress expresses the belief that the reciprocity agreement will materially redace the cost of living in the United States. He emphasises the statement that the bond of friendship with Canada will" be drawn closer, following the tightening of the commercial bonds; and financial gain is not the only result desirable. Finally Mr Taft says: "Canada has cos,t us nothing in the way of preparations for defence against Impossible assault, and she never will. She Has sought to agree with us quickly when differences disturbed our relations." TO PROTEbf PANAMA CANAL. GUAYQUIL, Jan. 27. The United States is pressing a proposal to lease Galapagos Islands for the ptypose of a base to protect Panama Canal, and is offering £7,000,000 for a 99. years' lease, guaranteeing Ecuador the sovereignty of the islands.

FATAL CAS EXPLOSION. PARIS, Jan. 27. A gas explosion at steel works at Perguette killed six and injured twelve people. FRENCH WORKERS' PENSIONS. ; PARIS, Jan. 27. A debate in the Chamber of Deputies on the Workmen's Pensions Bill showed that 12,000,000 people would benefit. Contributions would be obligatory on both men and women earning below £120; but pensions would be supplemented. by a State grant which could be secured by those earning below £2OO, or by wives by means of voluntary deposits. TROOPSHIPS FOR TURKEY. BERLIN, Jan. 27. The North German Lloyd's steamers Oldenburg and Darmstadt have been sold to Turkey for troopships.