IMPERIAL POLITICS.

Otago Witness, Issue 2230, 26 November 1896, Page 18

IMPERIAL POLITICS.

London, November 18. Mr A. J. Balfour, speaking at Rochdale, said that the Government programme occupied the whole field of moderate and rational reform. Unless their opponents formulated a definite policy for destruction the Government would be unable to ask support, and would not risk combining other subjects in order to obtain that support. Tho qnestion of aid to voluntary schools would form 'the subject of a separate bill. In the present condition of public opinion it would be madness to insist on any proposals which would alienate a large body which found them impossible of acceptance. The National Conservative Union of Rochdale, on the motion of Mr Lowles, passed a resolution rejoicing that Australia was in favour of the commercial federation of the Empire. Mr Neild, of Sydney, said the proposals to that end must emanate from England. He complained that trustees were still debarred from investing in Australian securities, and that pure colonial wine was, taxed heavier than foreign concoctions. November 19. The Conservative Union has asked the Government to include the final settlement of Rhodesia in the Government programme, and expressed itself in favour of a preference tariff favouring the products of Great Britain in the colonies as the beginning of & commercial federation of the Empire. Sir M. White Ridley promised a trade deputation to legislate on the question of employers' liability assuring workmen protection for life and limb, and to Bimpl'^ the factory acts. November 21. In the course of a speech Viscount Oran» bourne said he feared Mr Baifonr's proposal to separate the Education Bills was a dangerous one. It was necessary to save the voluntary schools and lay aside timidity. Last week 1763 tons of coal, 246,323 ft) timber, sad 700 sleepers were ohipped from Qxaimwm