IMPERIAL POLITICS.

Otago Daily Times, Issue 14702, 9 December 1909, Page 7

IMPERIAL POLITICS.

LABOUR MANIFESTO. ATTACK ON THE HOUSE OF LORDS. Pros Association—By Telegraph—Copyright LONDON, December 7. The Parliamentary Committee of the Trades Union Congress, in a manifesto, declares that tire Lords had never voluntarily dene anything to promote the interests of the masses. On the contrary, tlicy li.nl protected every abuse, supported every privilege, and persistently and consistently delayed reforms. They wrc a menace to political freedom) and their rejection of the Budget was a deliberate insult. The manifesto urges the abolition of the Second Chamber. LORDS' POWER OF VETO. LONDON, December 7. The Free Church Council is urging the thousand local councils in England and Wales to lake strong local action in favour of the abolition of the power of veto by tho House of Lords. Mr Walter Long (ex-Chief Secretary of Ireland) ami ether politicians emphasise the absence of any' indication of hov,- the Liberals propose to abolish the Lords' veto. LIBERAL AND LABOUR PARTIES. ELECTION' ARRANGEMENTS, LONDON, December 7. Tho Daily Mail says there is a general basis of agreement between the party managers. Where a Labour candidate is in possession, lie will not be opposed, and where a Literal is in possession tho Liibour leaders will refuse funds to enable a, local nominee to fight. The mail adds that the Labour candidates have been withdrawn from Mid Glamorganshire, Stalybridgc-, Midlothian, Barkstoi) Asli, Rotlierham, Crewe, East Carmarthen, Coventry, Plymouth", and Ettsl Northants (or Wellingborough). UNIONIST POLICY. TARIFF PROPOSALS. LONDON, December 8. (Received Dec.' 8, at 10 p.m.) Hie Birmingham Post publishes an outlino of the scheme which it believes will he adopted by the Unionist Cabinet if it wins at tho election. A general tariff will bo established on all goods not deemed to bo raw material. There .is 11,0 intention to linvo multifarious rates, which would throw open- the door to parliamentary intvigue and lobbying. Goods upon which little labour-has been expended will bo dutiable to the extent ot 5 per cent., nearly finished goods 10 per cent., and completely manufactured 15 par cent. Foreign, corn will pay 2s par quarter. Colonial com will receive substantial preference, but possibly not the whole of (lie 2s. There will bo three, scales in each of the three rates of duty, but the maximum will rc-main in abeyance for two years t-o give time for friendly negotiations with foreign Powers. It its estimated that tho tariff will produce from £16,000,000 to £20,000,000.