IMPERIAL POLITICS.

Taranaki Herald, Volume LX, Issue 143788, 11 May 1912, Page 3

IMPERIAL POLITICS.

THE HOME RULE BILL. READ A SECOND TIME. By Electric Telegraph.—Copyright. (Received May 11, 8.40 a.m.) LONDON, May 10. In the House of Commons the Home Buie Bill was read a second time by 872 votes to 271, after the application of the closure. Sir Clifford Cory (Liberal) voted against the Bill, and Sir George Kemp (Liberal) abstained from voting. Mr. W. F. Cotton (National) left the hospital, was carried into the lobby, and voted. Two hundred members of the Irish Loaguo, with Nationalists and other members of the House of Commons, accorded Mr. Asquith an ovation when he appeared in Palace, Yard. In the course of the debate Mr. Redmond stated that underlying all the arguments against the Bill more was the assumption that all the parties to the new treaty would be animated by a feeling of malice instead of a desire to make the best of things. It would be to Ireland’s highest interest to safeguard her constitution and work it with moderation. Mr. Ramsay Macdonald alluded to his visits to the colonies, where he htHj seen the healing effects of self-govern-ment. Mr. Bonar Law said there was no proof that Ulster’s opposition would satisfy the Government until there had been bloodshed. The Government arrogated to themselves the exclusive right to judge the opinion of the electorate. That was not constitutional but dictatory government. Mr Asquith said federation was necessary for the whole of the United Kingdom, but the claim of Ireland was paramount. ULSTER AND HOME RULE. (Received May 11, 11.80 a.m.) LONDON, May 10. At the conference of the Nonconformists’ Unionist Association in London, the Lord Mayor of Belfast said he did not believe Home Rule would lead to war. If it did, three hundred thousand men would be ready in three days to fight, as their ancestors defended Derry. In the House of Commons Mr. Rothschild gave notice of an amendment to the Home Rule Bill exempting the counties of Antrim, Armagh, Down, and Londonderry from the operation of Home Rule. Several amendments have been given notice of making the Senate elective on the proportional representation principle. AN AMALGAMATION OF PARTIES. (Received May 11, 8.40 a.m.) LONDON, May 10. Conferences of Conservatives and Liberal Unionists agreed to amalgamate. The leaders of both parties, including Joseph Chamberlain, approved the step.