IMPERIAL POLITICS

Otago Witness, Issue 3100, 13 August 1913, Page 25

IMPERIAL POLITICS

NATIONALISATION OF COAL MINES

LONDON, August 4

Mr Stephen Walsh, Labour M.P., ha introduced a Bill to nationalise the coal mines and other minerals, and the distribution and sale of coal. The purchase price of the mines is estimated at £135,000,000. EDUCATION BILL STOPPED. LONDON, August 8. The Government has dropped the short Education Bill owing to the pressure of business. DEALINGS IN SILVER. LONDON, August 8. In a letter addressed to the Chief Government Whip (Mr Illingworth) Messrs Samuel Montagu and Company state that Mr Bonar Law has not accepted the firm’s challenge to inspect their books in connection with the firm's dealings in silver. They add that if there is any official opposition to the Sir Stuart Samuel Indemnity Bill Sir Stuart would prefer the Bill to be withdrawn. THE INDIAN BUDGET. LONDON, August 8. In the course of the debate on the Indian Budget the Under-secretary for India (Mr Montagu) stated that the continued increase in revenue was due to the largely increased railway profits. The guiding principles of the Government policy were co-operation and devolution. He proposed to remove the Native States business from the Foreign Secretary and to appoint a special secretary to handle the work. He admitted there were disquieting features in Bengal, without disclosing their nature, and denied that the attempt on Lord Hardinge was the outcome of a wide national movement. THE PROROGATION. LONDON, August 8. Mr Asquith has announced that the prorogation will take place on the 15th or I6th. He stated that owing to the opposition it was impossible to proceed with the Sir Stuart Samuel Indemnity Bill this session. THE INSURANCE ACT. LONDON, August 10. Addressing 10,000 miners Mr Lloyd George declared that while the Insurance Act was doing the work of the Man of Nazareth the Tories were spitting upon it, and piling up a vast reckoning when the day of settlement came. Continuing, Mr George said that social reform, in order to be thorough, must move with an extended front. The Government had attacked the problems of poverty, of the aged, of sweating, and cf intemperance, and they were now about to march on the central position, where land monopoly was entrenched. The struggle would he fierce, but with the help of the people the Government would triumph. Mr Lloyd George was much interrupted by suffragettes. The chairman threatened that the audience might duck the interrupters in a pond.

THE REVENUE BILL. LONDON, August 10. Several newspapers indicate that Mr Lloyd George is likely to withdraw his Revenue Bill owing to the extreme landtaxers’ objections.