IMPERIAL POLITICS

Taranaki Daily News, Volume LIV, Issue 108, 27 October 1911, Page 5

IMPERIAL POLITICS

THE IXSURAXCE BILL. | THE CLOSURE QUESTION. j By Cable—Press Association—Copyright Received 2(i, 10.40 p.m. London, October 20. The closure proposals in connection with the Insurance Bill were adopted after a couple of extra days were conceded. 1

Mr. Asquith defended the closure, and 6aid that unless the measure were passed this year the benefits would be delayed for a year. It was impossible to legislate in large and complicated measures Without a time-table. The closure, he believed, would prove beneficial if it became part of the normal procedure of the House.

Mr. Balfour condemned the guillotine, robbing as it did a debate of plasticity. There would be no harm done if the Bill wore delayed over Christmas. It was, he said, the most complicated Bill of the last hundred years. He did not blame Mr. LloydGeorge if he lo.it the tickets of his own creation. The delegation of the question of unemployment to a grand committee and then curbing discussion was outrageous. He accused the Government of attempting to destroy the House of Commons, after compassing the House of Lords' destruction.

Mr. William O'Brien said Home Rule would be impaired if the Insurance Bill were not passed speedily.

-Mr. Redmond denied the compulsion of Nationalists, who would propose amendments which the Government would undoubtedly accept. (Ironical cheers.) He accused Mr. Balfour of wishing to delay the passing of the measure in order to destroy next session's

programme. In the House of Commons Mr. Whitley was elected Chairman of Committees.

CABINET CHANCES. Received 2G. 10.40 p.m. London, October 2fl. Mr. IT. T. Tennant has been appointed Financial Secretary for War. Mr. J. Mackinnon Robertson (member for Northumberland) succeeding Mr. Tennant as Parliamentary Secretary of the Board of Trade. IRISH FINANCES. ' London, October 25. In reply to a question by Mr. Tim Healy as < 0 when the Irish Finance Committee's report would be issued, Mr. Asquith stated that it was a purely confidential enquiry. The report, which would not be submitted for discussion, was already in the hands of the Government.