POLITICS IN BRITAIN.

Manawatu Standard, Volume XLIII, Issue 254, 17 February 1921, Page 5

POLITICS IN BRITAIN.

REFORM OF THE LORDS. MR ASQUITII'S CONDEMNATION. LONDON, Feb. 15. In the House of Com,nons Mr Asquith, rc-fcrrii.g to the propo.-cd reform of the House of Lords, saiil a more modest aspiration couched in more diffident term-, awl suffused with a more pronounced tinge ot ultimate mistrust, was never put into tlio mouth of a- Sovereign since Kings Speeches had become a recognised Parliamentary institution. Mr Llovd George, replying to Mr Asquith. said the discussion of the new arrangements under the Peace Treaty would be very undesirable before the pending conference, which Germany would attend. He did not co-isic'er (ho proposals agreed to were departures from the Versailles treaty. Iho Government proposed to table the MllncT report on the Middle East, but was unprepared to anv cxtoiil to adopt the* before discussing it with the representatives of tin- Dominions—A. and N.Z. cable. SOLIDITY OF THE EMPIRE. j LONDON, Feb. 16. Air Lloyd George, replying to an amendment urging co-ordination between the Army, Navy and Air Force, admitted the* I necessity of co-ordination, but said there : should bo co-ordination between the various parts of the Empire. Tho defence of the Empire should be an Imperial concern. It was too much to ask these small islands to undertake the defence of a gigantic Empire in every sea. Tlio whole problem would be brought before the meeting of Premiers. The knowledge that tha Empiro stood together would be the best guarantee against tho shedding of blood.—A. and N.Z. cable.

TRIBUTE TO GENERAL. SMUTS

LONDON", Feb. 15. In ihc Hotis" of Lords Lord (.'ur/ou. replying to the debate on the Address-in-reply, paid ; - tribute to Qoneral Smuts, who ho "said i\vas a patriot, and a statesman. His triumph was not only n victory for South Africa, but, for tho Empire as a, whole. The condition of Europe was brighter and more full of hope than it was a year ago.—A. and K. 7.. cable.