British Parliament.

Poverty Bay Herald, Volume XIX, Issue 6291, 11 February 1892, Page 2

British Parliament.

Loxdon*, Fe 1 ). 9. — Mr Redmond gave notice to-day to move for an amnesty to political prisoners. Lord Salisbury, replying to the criticism of Lord Kimberley, declared Enjj'and would never surrender Egypt to another Power, or leave it to destruction by itself- He alleged that the Newfoundland dispute was due to the colonists themselves. The ceremony of the opening of Parliament was of an unusually sombre character, everybody appearing in deep black. Mr Lowther moved an amendment to the Address-in-Reply urging Government to terminate the treaties which prevent differential treatment of the colonies by England. He argued that if some change were not made the colonies would be tempted to act by themselves. Mi' Howard Vincent seconded the amendment. Sir M. Hicks-Beach, in reply, said that Government was better able to take a broad view of the commercial relations of the Empire than any of the colonies. They would go a long way to secure a zollverin embracing England and her colonies, but i such an amendment at the present juncture was injurious. When a favorable opportunity was offered they would try and get the treaties revised, but the occasion was not } opportune. The amendment was negatived without a division. Sir W. Harcourt said the Opposition would support a genuine honest measure of Local Government for Ireland. The debate on the Address-in-Reply was adjourned. The Address-in-Reply was agreed to in the House of Lords. Feb. 10. — In the House of Lords the Marquis of Salisbury stated that negotiations respectm 1 * the Newfoundland difficulty were in abeyance, as rash criticism of the Government action by the Gladstone party had induced France to believe that there was no hope of securing execution of the award of the arbitrators. Speeches in both Houses of the Legislature were couched in toneo of deep sympathy at the death of the Duke of Clarence and the fact that the royal family had not bid for the universal outburst of world- wide sorrow. Sir Michael Hicks-Beach, President of the Board of Trade, replying to Mr Lowther's amendment regarding treaties and provisions, objected to them, and said they were doubtless relics of the past generation, but the proposals su3gested by the British Empire trade league and others were a measurable substitute for zolverein between the colonies and Great Britain. In the House of Commons Mr T. Sexton has tabled a notice of motion regarding the failure of the Irish Land Purchase Act. At a meeting of the followers of Mr Justin McCarthy the nomination of Mr John Dillon as leader of the Irish party was rejected.