IMPERIAL POLITICS.

Otago Daily Times, Issue 15100, 24 March 1911, Page 5

IMPERIAL POLITICS.

THE VETO QUESTION

PROSPECT OF COMPROMISE,

Press Association—By Telegraph—Copyriglrt LONDON, March 22.

There are increasing rumours that a compromise on the veto is materialising. The Times soys that fome moderate Liberals are putting out feelers whether a compromise would be acceptable, and (that the Nationalists, and Labourites are being sounded as to whether they would favour ,tho proposal for a joint committee to ba set up to settle any deadlocks, provided that the representatives from both Houses are so arranged as to secure the Government of tho day a majority. The Labourites wra'thfully oppose any such idea.

Hie Daily Chronicle (G.) remarks that these silent negotiators have not been encouraged by the support so far accorded to them.

The Daily News (■&.) hopes that the Government appreciates the , gravity of allowing a. breathing space for intrigue.

PAYMENT OF MEMBERS. LONDON, March 22.

In the House of Commons Mr .Asquith announced that provision would bo made this year for the payment of members.

Replying to Mr Burdett-Coutts, Mr Asquith said tho usual channels of consultation with the dominions were always open and available to the extent that any proposals would require. LOUD ONSLOW ]N ILL-HEALTH. , LONDON, March 22. Lord Onslow has resigned the DeputySpeakership in the House of Lords on the ground , of ili-health.

THE REFERENDUM. SPEECH BY LORD SELBORNE. LONDON, March 23. (Received March 23, at 9.10 p.m.) In a speech at Edinburgh Lord Selborne explained the working of the referendum. He referred to the satisfactory results obtained in Australia, and asserted that it was idle to fay that it was inapplicable to the difficulties arising in Britain. Tho whole object was to make sure that a majority and not a minority was in temporary possessionHe approved of tho changes. The Liberals dreaded the referendum, but it was the only cure for log-rolling and the glaring inequalities of representation. There was room for a reasonable compromise over a problem when the referendum was applied. Ho concluded by urging a national settlement on the constitutional struggle.

SCOTTISH DEVOLUTION. LONDON, March 23. (Received March 23, at 10.30 p.m.) A deputation from the Scottish National Committee waited on Mt Asquith in favour of complete devolution for Scotland

Mt_ Asquith. replied that he was fully conscious of the growing difficulty, but Scottish Affairs were receiving "proper consideration at Westminster. Irish Home Rule was part of a fuller scheme.

MR HALDANE.

RUMOURS OF A PEERAGE.

LONDON, March 23. (Received March 23, at 10.30 p.m.) There are reiterated rumours that Mr Haldano is going to the House of Lords.