IMPERIAL PARLIAMENT.

Colonist, Volume L, Issue 12197, 21 March 1908, Page 3

IMPERIAL PARLIAMENT.

ITHE EIGHT HOURS DAY. (Per United Press Association.) Per United Press Associatiod ( London. March 19* The Earl of Cawdor, speaking in the Honsse of Lords, criticised the Admiralty policy, and urged the acceleration of tbe complet : on of the Rosyth base. Ho insisted that it was necessary for our unassailable supremacy against any two of the greatest naval Powers. Lord Tweedmouth, First Lord of the Admiralty, replied that Mr As quith s recont declaration with regard to th 9 two Power standard was moat deciaive. In 1911 no combination of two first-class Powers would\ be equal to Britain's naval strength. Lord Tweedmouth said he {.referred a standard equal to any reasonably probable combination of foreign Powers, and he hoped to finish the Rosyth base in seven years. Mr J. R. UJynes (Labor) in the House of Commons, moved tbat the working day in all trades and industries Bhould be limited by law to a maximum of eight; hours. Mr Herbert Samuel. Under-Secre-fcary to tbe Home Oftice, said tbe resolution was too sweeping, and the agricultural interests would be unable to accept auch a sweeping rnle, and it was impossible to insist on such a limitation in domestic service, textile trades, and shipping." Tbe Government nieanJL-to^i'sh oh with Hours Bill. Mr Balfour, Leader of the Opposition, said that if a diminution in tbe output of the textilo trade would injnre our foreign trade, why not a diminution of coal production. Mr A. Henderson (Labor) advised the -withdrawal of the resolution : but owing to objections the subject was talked out. Mrßurns. President of the Local ■Govrenment Board, informed Sir Francis Charihing (L. ) that after selling the produce and reckoning the reJief even ft) dependents, the weekly cost of a man at the Labor Colony at Hollesley Lsay was 30s to 325, compared with the local wage rate of agricultural laborers of lis.