BRITISH POLITICS.

Stratford Evening Post, Volume XXIX, Issue 114, 6 July 1911, Page 5

BRITISH POLITICS.

A BY-ELECTION. RETURNED UN OPPOSED. By Electric Telegraph.—Copyright. United Press Association. London, July 5. Mr Ronald McNeill was returned unopposed for East Kent. THE VETO BILL. London, July 5. _ Lord Lancdowne, in moving his amendment, said that under the clause as it stood neither the Crown, the Crown, the Constitution, the Union of Britain and Ireland, the church, the political liberties were safe. The Lords fully admitted that some readjustment of the Houses was essential, and were willing to meet the Government in a reasonable spirit. Ho challenged the Government to fulfil its pledge to effect reform in the composition of the House. Lord Morley, strongly opposing the amendment, remarked that Lord Laiisdovi tie was not jus tilled in expecting the Government at this stage to help in constructing tins particular machinery. Ho could not imagine the House of Commons passing a Bill impairing the Crown or the Protestant succession. Ho contended that to insist that the Lords should have a decided voice in re-shaping the affairs of Ireland was a maladroit view. The House had manged Irish affairs for the last hundred years, fine mischief of absentee landlordism had been aggravated by the mischief done by an absentee Parliament. Lord Lansdowne’s proposed committee, which intended to decide matter without an appeal, would override and supercede the House of.. Commons. Lord Courtney supported. The referendum debate was adjourned.

DEFENCE CF 7!!E EMPIRE. DISCUSSION IN THE COMMONS. (Received G, 8.5 a.in.) London, July 5. Mr. A. H. Lee and Lord Bercsford, in Committee of Supply, on the shipbuilding vote, which was passed, emphasised the need for more cruisers. Dr. Macnamara replied, pointing to Britain's unrivalled liotilla of thirtyfour pre-Dreadnoughts for the protection of trade routes, besides improved unamoured cruisers. Moreover, cruisers were being constructed for the oversea Dominions. Ho also dwelt upon the proposal to utilise Cunardcrc as armed transports in war time. Mr. Balfour urged, in view of tho steadily increasing danger of foreign nations converting merchantmen technically and colourably into warships in reality, that Britain should commence the building of destroyers. The duty of policing trade routes would be critical in the early weeks of war, and would bo immensely increased. Ho hoped the building programme would make special provision lor this new menace. Mr. McKenna, replying to Mr. Balfour, and others, said the Admiralty was satisfied that there were sufficient cruisers for 1911 to protect every source of danger on trade route's and protect trade. Ho added: “More cruisers will be provided in 1912 to meet the cruisers which will be begun by the Powers. Dr. Macnamara, in a sympathetic reply, emphasised the further development of the far-reaching effect of tho plans laid by the Conference of 1909 towards tho consolidation and safety of the Empire. DREADNOUGHTS TO GO. (Received 6, 10 a.m.) London, July 5. Tho “Pall Mall Gazette” has high authority for stating that the Director of Naval Construction contemplates tho abandonment of the Dreadnought type of warship, the new type is kept a close secret. , It is believed it approximates the Lord Nelson typo (17,000 tons), and is suitable for shallow water. The primary armament will consist of six loin. guns, and the ships will have an anti-torpedo armament. Many experts are opposed to putting all the eggs into one basket.