BRITISH POLITICS.

Manawatu Standard, Volume XLI, Issue 8539, 20 March 1908, Page 3

BRITISH POLITICS.

(By Electric Telegraph—Copyright.) Frmati Association. LONDON, March 19. ■ A crowded meeting, representing a hundred thousand brewery debenture holders, was held in London, presided over by Lords Rothschild and Faber. The meeting unanimously condemned tho Licensing Bill as not promoting temperance, but making a confiscation of properties acquired under the sanction of tho State and in rcliancc on tho protection of the law. Lord Rothschild stated that the Bill would injure millions of insurance shareholders and policy holders. The/extension of the time limit to 21 years was no compromise. If the Bill passed, the question of the insufficiency of the gold reserve would be re-opened. He warned the Government that the City always made its voico heard in the long run. Mr Walter Long, M.P., and Lords Halsbury and Avebury condemned the measure. The Bishop of St. Asaph re-submitted in the House of Lords tho Education Bill ho introduced in 1904. It accepts tho principles of public control, abolition of tests, and providing simple Christian teaching at given school hours at the cost of the local education authority, and giving facilities three times a week for enabling children whoso parents wish to reccive distinctive religious instruction but not at tho cost of the local education authority. Tho Church of England, under tho Bill, gives up the appointment of teachers and contracting out, and transfers its school buildings for secular instruction. The Times hints that tho Bishop is receiving some Ministerial encouragement. Liberal papers suggest that the right of ontry for denominational teaching will be an obstacle to acceptance of the Bill.