IMPERIAL PARLIAMENT.

Otago Witness, Issue 2097, 3 May 1894, Page 17

IMPERIAL PARLIAMENT.

London; April 25. The resolution proposed in the Budget establishing graduated succession duties has been agreed to. Lord Herschell's Land Transfer Bill has been read a second time in the House of Lords. The mover claimed that the Australian system of registration had worked admirably. April 26. The Miners' Eight Hours Bill was read a second time by a majority of 87. The Home Secretary declared a very considerable majority of the Cabinet approved of the measure. Mr J. A. Pease, M.P. for Northumberland, said if the measure were carried it would be the death-blow to English industries. Sir A. Hickman, M P. for Wolverhampton, declared that the adoption of a legal eight hours would vastly increase the cost to coal consumers. Lord Randolph Churchill strongly supported the bill. April 27. In the House of Commons, Home Secretary Asquith moved to introduce a bill for the Disestablishment of the Church of Wales and Monmouthshire, to come into operation in January 1896. The measure, which is of a highly complicated character, follows broadly on the lines of the Disestablishment of the Irish Church. The Church Commissioners are empowered to ultimately apply ohurch funds to tbe parish and county counoils, hospitals, and to technical and higher education. Cathedrals are treated as national property, and every incumbent retains his life interest in his present office, parsonages and glebes reoeiving from the commission the net proceeds of the titles. The Times characterises the bill as a gigantic bribe to the ratepayers to spoliate the church, while the Standard says the Government have no intention of passing the bill in the present Parliament. Sir E. Clarke moves the rejection of the Registration Bill unless inequalities in the dlectoral powers are redressed. The Government are willing that 15 members from the Opposition Bide of the House be nominated as members of the Grand Scotch Oommittee. April 28. The proposal for a Scotch Grand Committee has been carried, the Government concessions having been accepted. The Scotoh Radicals complain that by the concession the Government have whittled away the value of the grand committee. i The Scotch Local Government Bill has been read a first time. April 29. The House of Commons pa3sed the second reading of the Scotch Committee Bill by a majority of 25.