IMPERIAL PARLIAMENT.

Otago Witness, Issue 2257, 3 June 1897, Page 17

IMPERIAL PARLIAMENT.

LONDON, May 25. In the House of Commons the Speaker (the Right Hon. W. O. Gully) overruled all the directions made by the committee on the Employers' Liability Bill dealing with the question of compensation to be paid to workmen for accidents, excepting the suggestions by Mr H. J. Tennant (Berwickshire) providing compensation for injuries to health arising from the nature of the employment. ,SirM. W. Ridley, Secretary to the Home Department, opposed the exception on the ground that it would imperil the bill. Mr John Barns and the Right Hon. H. H. Asquith supported it, but the exception was negatived by 233 to 144. An amendment embracing within the scope of the bill all workmen except domestic menials and servants was rejected by a majority of 78. Mr J. H. Wilson, M.P. for Middlesborongh, has been examined before the parliamentary committee on the question of fair wages in Government contracts. He urged that provision be made in the P. and O, mail contract for the payment of the union rate of wages to English and Lascar seamen alike. May 27. In the House of Commons, when the Employers' Liability Bill was in Committee, the Government submitted an amendment refusing compensation for accidents caused solely by the serious wilful misconduct of the workmen. The amendment was carried by a majority of 110. May 29. In the House of Common?, wblle in Committee of Supply, Mr John Redmond (member for Waterfcrd City) was named and suspended for lefusing to obey the ruling of the Chairman. Obstructionist tactics were continued by Mr Clancy (member for Dublin North), Mr William Rsdmond (Clare Eaat), and Mr W. Field (isc. Patrick's Division of Dublin), v?ho wers also named and suspended. Clancy and William Redmond refused to withdraw until the Sergeant-at-arm3 escorted them from, the chamber.