IMPERIAL PARLIAMENT.

New Zealand Mail, Issue 1200, 1 March 1895, Page 35

IMPERIAL PARLIAMENT.

London, February 19. Three Unionists and two Liberals were absent from the divisi.on on Mr Chamberlain's amendment on account of illness, and were not able to record their votes. London, February 20. In the House of Commons, Mr Bryce, President of the Board of Trade, referring to the New Zealand Loan and Mercantile Agency Company, said the department of which he was the head neither claimed nor exercised any control over the reports of the Official Receivers. In reply to a question, Mr Buxton, Parliamentary Secretary to the Colonial Office, said the Transvaal was responsible for the peace of Swaziland, as England had been precluded from declaring a protectorate over the country. In order to avert defeat on the question, the Government accepted Mr Howard Vincent's motion affirming the desirableness of restricting the import of goods manufactured in foreign prisons. The Chronicle thinks that Ministers, in anticipation of a possible defeat, will resign. London, February 22. Sir H. James moved a resolution attacking the Government on the subject of the duties levied by India on English cotton goods, but was defeated by 195 votes. Lord Ripon has introduced a Bill in the House of Lords to enable the Customs duties to be amended in favour of the Australian Colonies. . The first reading of the measurahas passed. Sir H. dames, in proposing his motion, Complained that the Lancashire members were never consulted as to the propriety of the duties which were imposed for pro- ) tective purposes. ' I

Mr Fowler, in reply, contended that these duties were a financial necessity owing to the increase of the Indian expenditure and the fall in exchange. The voting was on non-party lines. Mr Goschen supported the Government. Mr Balfour was absent, suffering from influenza, and Mr Chamberlain abstained from voting. Mr Bowles, M.P., has given notice to move that the correspondence between Judge Williams, the Board of Trade, and the Lord Chancellor be laid on the table. London, February 24.

Mr Balfour's absence from the House of Commons during the debate on Sir Henry James' motion attacking the Indian cotton duties ruined Mr Chamberlain's plan for the overthrow of the Government. Mr Chamberlain withdrew from the Chamber at the last moment, and the Conservative Party collapsed. Notwithstanding that the Whips of the Party, in the absence of their leaders, appealed to members to support Sir Henry James' motion, the retreat of the Conservative members from the House before the division was taken was like a stampede. Lord George Hamilton invoked Lord Salisbury's authority, commanding them to stay and vote, but withovit avail. Mr Fowler, Secretary of State for India, in speaking against Sir Henry James' motion, appealed to the Imperial instincts of members, and said the House was responsible to the people of India, whom every member represented. His remarks were received with cheers. The Westminster Gazette says the Government has resolved not to sacrifice Indian interests to a section of the English trade. London, February 26. Mr Asquith has introduced the Welsh Church Disestablishment Bill in the House of Commons. Mr Asquith's Welsh Church Bill is identical with the measure introduced by him on April 26th last year. It estimates the Church's revenue at .£279,000, and aims at keeping moneys for the purposes and places intended. It is not to come into operation until 1897. It is probable a division on the first reading will be taken on Thursday.