IMPERIAL POLITICS

Otago Witness, Issue 2849, 21 October 1908, Page 26

IMPERIAL POLITICS

NAVAiNaXD EDUCATION QUESTIONS. LONDON, October 12. In a speech at Leeds Mr Asquith reiterated the statement that there wo,uld be no trenching on the margin of their assured naval supremacy, which was the margin of safety for them as a nation. Regarding the education question, the Prime Minister declared that the Government would not aesent to any eeitlemenb that left unredressed the (greatest and most sorely-felt injustice caused by the act of 1902. THE DUCHY OF LANCASTER. LONDON, October 13. Lord Fitzmaurice has accepted a seat in the Cabinet as Chancellor of the Duchy cf Lancaster. He continues to represent the Foreign Office in the House of Lards. LORD PRESIDENT OF THE COUNCIL. LONDON, October 14. It is officially announced that Viscount Wolverhampton has been appointed Lord President of the Council. THE ROMAN CATHOLICS. LONDON, October 15. Mr Asquith informed Mr W. Redmond j.nd Lord Talbot that the Government would be unable to give facilities in the session of 1909 to any measure not wholly uncontroversial. It was prepared to fully consider any proposals to relieve the Roman Catholic or any other religious denomination of any disabilities causing practical grievance, but not to give a day to discuss the Government's action with reference to the Eucharistic procession unless the Leader of the Opposition asked tor it. BRITISH LABOUR PARTY. LONDON, October 15. The "Labour jjarty's acceptance of the Miners' Federation affiliation proposal adds, to the parliamentary group 15 members, who will co-operate on all Labour questions, and will meet jointly at interTals. THE LICENSING BILL. LONDON, October 15. The debate on tho Licensing Bill in tommittce Avas resumed. Clause 2 (astabHsbiry local option by > enabling any rural, parish, or mban area within a licensing district to veto new licenses) was adopted by 315 to 117. Mr Asquith's amendments to the local option clause provide for a two-third.« majority instead of a bare jnajority as the local veto power after the termination of the- time limit. I

Yesterday the debate on clause 3 showed that the time limit should be lengthened, but the Government hesitates to announce to what extent. October 17. Mr Bottomley's amendment to the Licensing Bill <to make the time limit 21 years was negatived by 287 votes to 119. ir Asquith announced that he was quite prepared to entertain a suggestion that for a short term cf years, probably seven, after the expiry of 14- years, when the old licenses had been regranted, they would not require the 'immediate surrender of the .monopoly value — in other words, the State would posftw-ne the resumption cf the monopoly value of the surviving houses until the expiration of the additional term. Mr Harcourt's amendment, bringing both off and on licenses under the time limit, was carried. CABINET CHANGES. LONDON, October 19. The Spectator says the recent rearrangement of Cabinet offices shows the Government fear of , the bye-elections. The same journal fears that the illstarred measure the Old-age Pensions Bill . may yet prove the Government's ruin, and will probably ruin Freetrade.