IMPERIAL POLITICS

Otago Witness, Issue 3034, 8 May 1912, Page 29

IMPERIAL POLITICS

RESISTING SOCIALIST INFLUENCE. LONDON, April 30. In consequence of the Minimum Wage Bill several Liberals, particularly in South Wales, are forming a league to resist the pressure of Socialist influence on the Government. It is stated that they have funds sufficient to contest 25 seats at the general election. It is understood that 150 LabourSocialists are. included in the Labour party's candidates. The payment of members is the chief cause of this.

QUESTION OF NAVAL EXPENDITURE. LONDON, April 30. During the Budget debate the Opposition moved an amendment to compel the payment to the Sinking Fund of the surplus remaining after meeting all the requirements of the Chancellor of the Exchequer for additional naval expenditure or losses sustained through industrial troubles. The amendment was negatived by a majority of 53. Mr Lloyd George, in opposing the

amendment, explained that Mr Winstoe Churchill had already indicated the* Britain's naval expenditure depended 6a that of other countries. If their programmes are altered, then Mr ChurchilJ aska far a further expenditure. "W« do not know what is the present position, or what" our liabilities may be, but whatever they are they must be faced." BANKRUPTCY BILL. LONDON, April 30. Lord Granard's Bankruptcy Bill make* insolvency through gambling and failure to explain the disappearance of assets, and the failure to keep accouavte .after a previous insolvency, criminal offences. THE INSURANCE ACT. LONDON, May 2. A Unionist motion requesting: the Go« vernment to co-operate with the doctor* and make the Insurance Act efficient wa« unexpectedly accepted. Mr Lloyd George stated that negotiations with the doctors were progressing with n view to securing adequate remuneration. The Government desired to meet legitimate requests. r The Unionist newspapers hdnt that the acceptance of the motion was due to the small attendance of Ministerialists, and a desire to avoid a division.

SERIOUS CHARGES

LONDON, May 2. Writing to Mr Will Thome relative to the notice of motion given by Mr Thorne* Mr Lansbury, and Mr O'Grady, calling for the removal of Lord Londonderry, Sir E. Carson, Mr Thomas Andrews, Mr Thomas Sinclair, and Mr John Young from the Privy Councillorship of Ireland for treasonable speeches, and of a motion of regret that the Government when prosecuting poor men in England for sedi* tion neglected to prosecute rich men in. Ireland, Sir E. Carson in&ista that Mr Thorne should demand that the Government should afford an opportunity to prove the charges. Sir E. Carson adds that it is an elementary principle of our . liberty., that all men and bodies except trade unions are equal before the law. He does not claim any immunity. ■' Mr Thorne, in replying, says the motion haa not been reached." J>>.;t he intends to ask the Government to facilitate ita discussion. '■-- Replying to Mr Thome, Mr Asquith refused to grant any of the Government'* time to a debate on Sir E. Careon's impeachment. THE OSBORNE JUDGMENT. LONDON, May 2. Mr Asquith has announced that he will introduce before Whitsuntide a bill reversing the Osborne judgment, which prevented trade unions from lining their funds for political purposes. UNIONIST LABOUR PARTY. LONDON, May 4. The Conservative and Unionist working men have formed an orgaiiisation designated the Unionist Labour party, with 200 branches, the objects being to promote co-partnership on tariff reform, Imperial preference, a reformed Second Chamber, poor law housing, land reform*. and trade union freedom on the basis of the Osborne.