IMPERIAL POLITICS.

Otago Daily Times, Issue 15321, 8 December 1911, Page 5

IMPERIAL POLITICS.

THE INSURANCE BILL. Press Ajjociatlon—Br T«l<graph—Copyright LONDON, December 7. (Received Dec. 7, at 10.15 pjn.) Mr Forster was emphatic in stating that the amendment Was not intondel to wreck the bill, inasmuch afl tho Government supporters approved of national insurance, but 18 now clau&M wore passed in a single night under the guillotino. Mx Runway Macdonald said tliat the choice was now no legislation or legislation only partially satisfactory. Hfc did not doubt that tho trades unions believed that the lower ranks were unablo to pay both insurance and union contributions. Nevertheless the bill wouid compel the Legislature to face problems not otlierwiso facod. Therefore he ivonld vote for it despito itß admitted faults. Mr Lloyd George's ameniimerit was a shifty method of ccstroying tho measure. Any mistakes were remcdialile, but reconsideration of the bill would imply a sacrifice of c : glit months. Tho Labour loaders had arranged with the friendly socioties, and although he did not afiirmtbat the do:tors wero satisfied, ho contended that it was impossible to moet tho demands other l visa than wao proposed. Ho reminded tho Opposition that tho Government might have adopted a ..compulsory non-conir'bu-tory system. He added significantly tliat it could have found the requisite money, and the income tax afterwards would not havo been so high, us in Borlin to-day.— {Cheers.) Ho strenuously argued that tic Government had accepted tho principle of contribution, and he advocated as an opponent, and was therefore entitled to protection against misrepresentation in an election. Anu'd excitement ho accused Lord Robert Cecil of falso witness against tho Government in an olection leaflet. (Received- Dec. 7, at 11.25 p.m.) Tho Insurance Bill was read a third timo by 324 to 21.