IMPERIAL PARLIAMENT.

Otago Witness, Issue 2250, 15 April 1897, Page 15

IMPERIAL PARLIAMENT.

London, April 6. In the House of Ccmmous Sir J. Gorst introduced a bill providiag for the yearly distribution of LI 10,(500 amongst necessitous board schools. In the H>>use of Lords the Education Bill passed its final stages. Apiil 7. The House of Commons adopted a motion diracting the attention of the Government to the food supply of Britain ia the event of war. Mr Seton Kerr, M.P. for St. Helens, snggested a zollverein for the promotion of a colonial supp'y and the erection of State granaries. Mr B*lfour said a zollverein would not touch the difficulty. In the event of a blockade of the coast, he was fully confident Britain could meet any possible combination, and in conjunction with America could meet the world. The Houoe of Lords passed the London Bank of Australia Bill. In the House of Commons, in reply to Mr Hogan's question with reference to the Australian irrigation colonies, Mr Chamberlain stated that he was unable to express any npinion as to the Mildura irrigation colony. The Emigrants' Information Office was only able to ib«ue a warning in answer to specific questions by intending emigrant?. In tbe Hou?e of Commons the hill providing for marking imported agricultural produce was read a second time and referred to a select committee. April 0. In the House of Commons the Criminal Lsiw Amendment Bill, entitling prisoners to give evidence and allowing a wife and husband to be called upon to give compulsory ovidence, was road a second time. The bill applies to England and Scotland. Messrs Lloyds, Morgan, and Cirson opposed the bill. Sir Charles Dilke said the bill removed the last remains of barbarism. March 10. In the House of Common«, Mr Chamberlain stated that Canada had signed a provisional agreement with Messrs Peterson and Co. for a fast Atlantic seam service. The British Government were considering the terms.