BRITISH PARLIAMENT

New Zealand Times, Volume XXIX, Issue 6136, 16 February 1907, Page 7

BRITISH PARLIAMENT

OLD AGE PENSIONS AMENDMENT TO THE ADDRESS-IN-REPLY. FINANCIAL OBSTACLES. By Telegraph-Press Association-Copyright. LONDON, February 14. Mr G. N. Barnes, who represents the Blackfriars Division of Glasgow as a member of the Labour Representation party, and is General Secretary of the Amalgamated Society of Engineers, moved an amendment to the Ad-dress-in-Koply, expressing regret that no provision had been made for oldage pensions. The Chancellor of the Exchequer (Mr M. H. Asquith), in a sympathetic reply, said he was anxious to make a beginning, but must proceed tentatively, 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. The President of the Local Government Board (Mr John Burns) said the matter would bo taken up> when means and time were allowed, Mr Austen Chamberlain, who was Chancellor of the Exchequer in the Balfour Government, estimated that £28,000,000 would be required to establish a scheme of old-age pensions. The amendment was rejected by 213 votes to 61. TARIFF REFORM. LONDON, February 14. “The Times” states that Mr Balfour, loader of the Opposition, wil move an amendment to the Addross-in-Ueply, emphasising the importance of tariff reform in connection with the Colonial Conference. Nearly thirty amendments to the Address have boon tabled. A LIBERAL UNIONIST’S AMENDMENT. MEETING OF FIFTY-TWO MEMBERS. (Received February 15, 11.43 p.m.) LONDON, February 15. In the Hons; of Commons next Monday, Mr J. W. Hills, Liberal-Unionist member for Durham, will move an amendment regretting that the King's Speech does not mention the Colonial Conference nor refer' to the opportunity thereby offered for promoting freer trade within the Empire and closer commercial relations with the colonies on a preferential basis. Fifty-two members of the House of Commons who support tariff reform met in a committee-room. Mr Austen Chamberlain stated that Mr Balfour was unwilling to move a tariff reform amendment to the Address-in-Rcply. It was decided by 41 votes to 4 to ask Mr Balfour to consent to an amendment being moved from the front Opposition bench. THE NEW HEBRIDES. LONDON, February 14. The “Westminster Gazette” states that in the labour ordinance arranged with France when the New Hebrides Convention was concluded, we wore not wholly masters, but the new rules are a vast improvement on the old blackbirding. AN IRISH COUNCIL. LONDON, February 14. The Chief Secretary for Ireland, Mr Birrell, has given notice of a bill to establish an Irish Council. EVICTED TENANTS. LORD CLANRIOARDE’S ESTATE. (Received February 15* 11.43 p.m.) LONDON. February 15. Mr J. P. Hayden, Nationalist member for South Roscommon, moved an amendment to the Address-in-Ileply regretting that promises which- had been made to evicted tenants had not been, fulfilled. : Mr Birrell, Chief Secretary for Ireland, admitted that the matter brooked no delay. He undertook to apply the utmost pressure on the Estates Commissioners. Ho hoped every claim would be adjudicated on by- May. Referring to Lord Clanrioarde’s shocking case, Mr Birrell hinted at the possibility of legislation being introduced depriving Lord Cttanricarde of bis magnificent estates, _ as he was wholly incompetent to manage them. Mr Redmond, leader of the Nationalist party, stated that the Minister’s reply was quite satisfactory, . whereupon Mr Hayden withdrew- his amendment.