BRITISH POLITICS.

New Zealand Herald, Volume XLIV, Issue 13414, 16 February 1907, Page 5

BRITISH POLITICS.

COLON lAI/ CONFERENCE.

AN AMENDMENT TO THE

ADDRESS.

MOVEMENT BY TARIFF RE-

FORMERS

By Telegraph.—Press Association—

(Received February 15, 10.22 p.m.)

Loncox, February 15. The Corporation of London is to entertain the colonial Premiers at. dejeuner, a reception, and a concert at the Guildhall in April, and it will offer six of the Premiers the freedom of the city.

Mr. J. W. Hills on Monday will move in the House of Commons an amendment to the Address-in-Reply. regretting that, the King's Speech does not mention the Colonial Conference and does not refer to the opportunity thereby offered for promoting freer trade within the .Empire and closer commercial relations with the colonies on a preferential basis.

A meeting of 52 Tariff Reform members was held in the committeeroom yesterday. Mr. Austin Chamberlain stated that Mr. Balfour was not willing to move, a tariff reform amendment. It was resolved by 41 votes to four to ask Mr. Balfour to consent to an amendment being moved from the Opposition front, bench.

IRISH EVICTED TENANTS

JUSTICE TO BE DONE THEM.

LORD CLANRICARDES CASE.

(Received February 15. 11.43 p.m.)

London, February 15.

Replying to an amendment by Mr. Hayden regretting that Parliament's promises to the evicted tenants had not been fulfilled, Mr. Birrell admitted that the matter brooked no delay, and undertook to apply the utmost pressure to the Estates Commissioners. He hoped that every claim would be adjudicated upon by May.

Referring to Lord Clanricarde's shocking eviction cases, he hinted at legislation being introduced depriving him of the management of his estates, as lie was wholly incompetent to manage them.

Mr. Redmond stated that the reply was quite satisfactory, and the amendment was withdrawn.

THE ADDRESS-JN-REPLY.

SEVERAL AMENDMENTS

TO BE MOVED.

LONDON, February 11

The Times says Mr. Balfour intends to move an amendment to the Ad-drcss-in-Reply, emphasising the importance of tariff reform in connection with the Colonial Conference. Nearly thirty amendments to the Address-in-Reply have been tabled. Mr. Barnes moved on amendment, yesterday regretting that no provision is to be made for old age pensions. The Chancellor of the Exchequer (Mr. Asquith), in a sympathetic reply, said he was anxious to make a beginning with the project, but they must proceed tentatively and by stages. The question was how to find the money. The Government ardently desired to start a pension scheme on lines socially and financially sound.

Mr. John Burns said the matter would be taken up when the means and time allowed.

Mr. Austin Chamberlain estimated that £28,000,000 would be required for the scheme.

The amendment was rejected by 213 votes to 61.

Mr. Keir Hardie has given notice of an amendment to the Address-in-Reply regretting that Ministers do not. intend to introduce a Bill providing for woman's suffrage.

NEW HEBRIDES QUESTION.

THE LABOUR CONDITIONS.

London, February 14,

The Westminster Gazette says that in thfj New Hebrides Labour Ordinance arranged with France "we are not wholly masters, but the new rules are a vast improvement on the old blackbirding." IRISH COUNCIL BILL. London, February 14. The Chief Secretary for Ireland gave notice yesterday of a Bill to establish an Irish Council." "*-