REFORM MEASURES

New Zealand Times, Volume XLII, Issue 9622, 30 March 1917, Page 6

REFORM MEASURES

CONFERENCE PROPOSALS WAR CHANGES MANY POLITICAL AND SOCIAL VIEWS. Br TalcuraplJ— Pres* Association—Coo/rlek* Australian and N Z. Cable Association. LONDON, March 28. In the House of Commons Mr AsC|iiith moved tho adoption of the Speakors’ Conference recommendations on electoral reform. Mr Asquith, announced his; conversion to woman's suffrage. Mr Lloya Gcorgo 'supported tho recommendation. and urged an early non-party settlement of tho in tho interests’ •of the ’ reconstruction • which would take place throughout the Empire after tho war. Ho opposed a Unionist amendment delaying the matter. Tho conference’s report was one of the most remarkable concordates in our political history. It wou!d_ ho criminal folly to throw away this opportunity ot settling a vexed question, which must he faced before peace. Parliamentary agreement was only possible if they acted on the lines of tho Commission's'proposals, tho most notable of which were simplified registration, one-day elections, redistribution, with proportional representation. Regarding woman suffrage, ho confessed his views had changed during the war. Previously ho was opposed on grounds of public expediency. He thought women ought to work out their own salvation. They have worked it out duririg tho war, and could wo have carried on without them? Mr Lloyd George emphasised the need of a truly national Parliament to represent the. country in settling problems in which the Dominions were vitally interested. Mr Walter Long (Colonial Secretary) advocated the acceptance of the entire proposals in view of national unity in the bitter struggle with tho enemy after tho war. Australian and N.Z. Cable Association. (Received March 20, 10.10 p.m.) LONDON, March. 29. In tho House of Commons, Mr Asquith’s motion was accepted by 341 votes to 02. Mr Bonnr LaV announced that the Government was introducing a bill to give effect to the Speaker’s Conference. . LAYING FOUNDATIONS FOB GREATER CONFERENCE. United Service Telegram. (Received March 30, 1.25 a.m.) LONDON, March 23. Tho members of the Empire Council Cabinet were entertained at lunch by Their Majesties at Buckingham Palace. Mr Massey states that the Imperial Conference is discussing the immediate conduct of the war and the question of food and shipping, and is laying tho foundations of a great Conference to be held after tho war on post-war problems, including the administration of Gorman colonies and Imperial ferade. Ireland has nob jot"been menUined, and ho bopod it would not bo ref rred to the Dominions, because it V »nld drag Ireland into the Dominions (pities and it would mean a lengthy visit of investigation in Ireland. Sir Joseph Ward states that the majority of the delegates favour arbitration by the Dominions on the problem of Ireland, but the subject is unlikely to be discussed by tho Conference till tho end of April. house of commons VARIOUS MATTERS OF MOMENT. By Taletropli—Preaa Association— Copyxle' 1 * Au.tralian and N.Z. Cable Association. (Received March 29, 8.5 p.m.) LONDON, March 28. In the House of Commons replying to Mr L. Ginnoll (Independent Nationalist) , .who asked., whether a Cunorder was recently rained, Mr 1Macnamara, Parliamentary Financial ■Secretary to tho Admiralty, said it was not in the public interest to give tho information. a a (Mr Bonar Law informed Mr A- fe. Rownitroo (Liberal) tbit tho Imperial tWor Cabinet was both executive and consultative. .... • , Mr Asquith, in moving that legislation bo introduced on the lines suggested by tho Electoral Reform Conference, said an election based upon tho present register would bo an absurdity owing to tho numbers employed in the naval and military forces, end papulation movements duo to war work. Electoral reform had raised many contentious questions, but tho Conference shewed a remarkable agreement, thirty-four propositions out of thirty-seven which had aroused embittered controversy for a whole generation having been adopted unanimously by tho House of Commons. FUNCTIONS OF IMPERIAL WAR CABINET. Hauler’* Telegram*. (Received 2D, 10-40 p.m.) LONDON, March 28. In tho House of Commons, Mr A. S. Rowntroo asked; “Is the Imperial War Cabinet an executive body or only a consultative one liko tho Imperial .War Conference?” Mr Bonar Law: “Tho Imperial War Cabinet is both executive and consultative. Its functions are regulated by the nature of the subject under discussion.” . . Mr P. E. Morrell: “If it is executive, what is its relation to tho "War Cabinet of five? Is it superior or subordinate? 1 ' , Air Bonar Law: “It is difficult ana not very desirable to define tho relations, which are entirely friendly.” OPENED BY FOREIGN OFFICE. By Telegraph—Pros* Association—CopyTlab* Australian and N.Z. Cable A*sooiatton LONDON, March 28. Count Bernstorff’s “mystery box” was opened at tho Foreign Office, in the presence of tho Swedish Minister (Count 11. Wrangcl). Information as to tho nature or its contents is not available. This relates to a mysterious trunk which Bornstorff on his departure from the United States was having conveyed to Germany. It was seized by. a British warship in transit.