IMPERIAL POLITICS.

Stratford Evening Post, Volume XXXV, Issue 60, 12 March 1913, Page 3

IMPERIAL POLITICS.

MR REDMOND’S AMENDMENT. (By Electric Telegraph.—Copyright.) (United Press Association.) London, March 11. Mr W. Redmond visited the House of Commons, and in moving an amendment of which he had long given notice to the address, said that it would be improper to proceed with the Home Rule and Disestablishment Bills while the House of Lords was unreformed, without reference to the electors.

DEBATE IN THE COMMONS. The Speech from the Throne announced that the Exchequer was guaranteeing a loan to develop cotton growing in the Soudan. Mr Bqnar Law challenged the prosperity of Great Britain. He admitted that trade had increased in 1912, but said that trade in Germany and America had increased in greater proportion. AVhile there was practically no immigration from Germany, that from Britain was heavy, an unemployment was in a higher ratio than in Germany. The world increase ol armaments had one advantage. It was welding the Empire together. Ho hoped that closer union would be carried still further. He emphasised that nobody was satisfied with the British land forces, and pointed out that the Speech did not refer to the outcry for Parliament to act. Mr Asquith claimed that the deliberations of ambassadors had resulted in an agreement with regard to the Balkans, and had secured a marked concprd .among the Powers. Britain had worked with the single-mind-ed desire to work with Germany. r l bat co-operation had not only made the path of diplomacy pleasanter, but, he trusted and believed, had inspired a mutual sense of confidence which would continue between two groat nations. Ho paid a tribute to Sir E. Gray’s patience, resolution and sagacity. Ho concurred with Mr Bonar Law that the effect of the increase of other countries’ armaments on the (Imperial solidarity had consolidated a feeling in all parts of the Empire that we must act together as a united body to preserve mutual interests. The Motherland and the outlying parts of the Empire fully recognised the urgency and importance of the .Reform of the House of Lords. The Soudan loan would be issued in instalments, as required. He did not believe that it involved any liability for the British taxpayer. In the House of Commons the Labour Party gave notice of an amendment to the Address-in-Reply, regretting the omission of legislation to secure a minimum living wage, and the nationalisation of lands, railways, mines and other monopolies. Mr Hewins moved an amendment regretting that measures had not been taken to effect the principle of Imperial co-operation as expressed by successive Imperial Conferences, especially granting trade preference. Replying to Lord Hugh Cecil, Mr Asquith said that it was untrue that Britain had any obligation to send an armed force to operate in Europe. In the House of Lords Earl Crewe said that the Government did not intend to force a vast education measure this session, but it would place the country in possession of its intentions.