THE IMPERIAL PARLIAMENT.

Otago Witness, Issue 2295, 24 February 1898, Page 13

THE IMPERIAL PARLIAMENT.

LONDON. February 15. The debate on the Address-ia- Reply was continued in the House of Commons. Mr J. L. Walton, Liberal member far Leeds, moved hia amendment challenging the Indian frontier policy of tho Government, especially in regard to the retention of Chitral. He said the' Government had violated the advice given by Lord Lawrence in 1854 that India should not mix in Afghan politics and affairs more than was desirable. They had reversed the policy of the Liberals of maintaining the independence of the frontier tribes. Without this natural garrison it wonld be impossible to peacefully hold the road from Pashawar into Afghanistan. Lord George Hamilton, Secretary of State for India, replying, said that the Liberals had vetoed the only workable plan suggested by the Indian Government for the proper maintenance of the frontier. Unless the tribes were under direct control it would be impossible to prevent them committing outrages. In view of the Rassian advance it was necessary to watch the Afghanistan border. The Government would enforce their power over and control the great trade routes leading into Afghanistan. Lord George Hamilton further said that in future the Government wonld attend to the administration of duties for the protection of tribal countries on the Indian frontier. The Government would adhere to their obligations to the Ameer. The Irish members of the House of Commons are asking an opportunity to discuss the financial relations between England and Ireland.

Mr H. H. Agquith asked the House of Commons to declare that the occupation of Chitral and the maintenance of a fortified road deserved condemnation. ] Mr Carzort (Under-secretary of State for j Foreign Affairs) replying, said he was unable ■ to understand tbe objection to the maintenance of a road which the predecessors of the , Government had constructed. Sir W. Vernon Harconrt said the forward policy during the last 20 years bad cost 70 millions in addition to an enormously increased Indian army. He regretted that Britain had not contributed to the expenses of the present frontier war. Mr Balfour (First Lord cf the Trea»ury) said he was unable to afford tbe slightest j hope of avoiding complications on the fron- j tier. Ha looked forward to a period when the task which bad already been accom- ' plished south and north of the disturbed districts would bs extended gradually among the tribes. Amidst cheers the amendment was declared lost by 311 votss to 208. February 16. In the House of Commons Mr Hogan, member for Mid-Tipperary, and Sir A. K. Rollitt, member for Islington Sontb, hava introduced bills to admit colonial solicitors to practice in the United Kingdom, and, similarly, British solicitors to practice in the colonies. February 19. In the House of Commons Mr Dillon proposed an amendment to the Address-in-Eeply in favour of the establishment of a Eoman Catholic university for Ireland. The amendment was negatived without a division. In the House of Lords, Lord Wemyss, referring to the present disturbed outlook of affairs and the proposals for army reorganisation, urged the adoption of the ballot system, which had been suspended since 1829, bub remains in reserve in case of emergency for the purpose of strengthening the militia.' He said the militia were 30,000 below the standard strength. Lord Lansdowne, Secretary for War, said ib was decided to employ compulsion in times cf emergency. Immense numbers of volunteers were available, bat in the event of necessity he would certainly adopt the ballot. February 20. The House of Commons rejected an amendment condemning the severity of tbe Indian sedition laws, and adopted the Address-in-Reply. Mr G. N. Curzon, Under-secretary of State for Foreign Affairs, replying to the suggestion that an immediate survey be made of the route proponed for the extension of the Burtnah railway through the Chinese province of Yunnan, said that it was considered advisable to construct the railway to the Chinese frontier prior to coming to a decision in reference to the Yunnan extension. He added that be was able to confirm the concession reported to have been made by China m connection, with the extension of the Yunnan. The Army Estimates submitted to the Honse of Commons propose an increass o£ 21,739 men, an increased expenditure in connection with West Africa of L 29.698, and in the Oape and Natal of L 255,334. The net addition to the military vote is LBBO.OOO.

— The Severn Tunnel is over four miles long.