IMPERIAL POLITICS

Otago Witness, Issue 3035, 15 May 1912, Page 29

IMPERIAL POLITICS

WELSH DISESTABLISHMENT. LONDON, May 8. The Times states that at least a dozen Labour members of the House of Commons acquiesce in the disestablishment of Wales, but are antagonistic to disendowment, which they consider a sin against the elementary principles of justice and policy. May 12. Da the course of a speech at Liverpool Mr Runciman (President of the- Board of Agriculture) said the disestablishment or the Church of Wales was first in order of procedure, but English disestablishment must follow when the Liberals wtha able to deal therewith. , SPEECH BY MR BONAR LAW. LONDON, May 11. Mr Bonar Law, speaking at a Primrose League meeting in the Albert Hall, said he was confident that Mr Lloyd George would get some good election use from his six million surplus. Instead of the Imperial Government looking after the interests of the Empire it went out of its way to help. Canada to become an adjunct of the United States. Happily, the true instincts of the Canadians warned them of calamity. Victory in the present war of armaments would rest with the longest purse,, and Britain's hope lay in uniting the inexhaustible resources of the sister nations overseas.

INDUSTRIAL INSURANCE ACT.

LONDON, May 7. Mr Davis, president of the National Conference of Friendly Societies, says if the' doctors insist - all their cardinal points, including the 40s a week income limit, being conceded as an indispensable condition precedent to their accepting and supporting the act then the friendly societies will light the question on a commercial basis. It is semi-officially stated that Mr Lloyd George is now willing to allow doctors nearly 8s 6d a head annually. This will add a million and a-half yearly to the cost of State insurance. May 11. Mr Lloyd George, addressing the Insurance Advisory Committee, comprising representatives of employers, workers, and doctors, stated that, whatever amendments are required in the act, the two vital features are compulsory. r £he contributions and the general character of the benefits must remain untouched. The committee eventually divided, sitting in camera, one dealing with the financial regulations and the other with medical questions. May 13. The Duke of Northumberland has resigned the presidency of the National Deposit Friendly Society because the Insurance Act has completely changed the position. Such societies view the Government’s interference with jealousv and suspicion. <■' SPEECH BY MR URE. LONDON, May 12. Speaking at Cambridge, the Lord Advocate of Scotland (Mr Ure) said the dividing line between the two great political parties was more clearly defined to-day than he ever remembered. The Insurance Act was not popular at present, but that was a peculiarity of all reforms. Ail danger, he added, of Ireland’s separation had vanished. THE OSBORNE DIVISION. LONDON, May 12. The Government’s “ Osborne ” Bill is a reproduction of the bill which was read • first time on May 24, 1911.