IMPERIAL POLITICS.

Taranaki Herald, Volume LX, Issue 143976, 19 December 1912, Page 3

IMPERIAL POLITICS.

WELSH DISESTABLISHMENT. ANCIENT BENEFACTIONS. By Electric Telegraph.—Copyright. LONDON, Deo. 18. On the clanses dealing with church money prior to 1662 an acrimonious debate arose. Lord Robert Cecil declared that often a man with the touch of hell fire on his brow gave money to the church. Mr. Booth objected to the contention that the bulk of the money came from men feeling that they had sinned. Mr. John Ward objected to the Government’s bard bargain, and opposed the secularisation of religions funds. Mr. M'Kenna intimated that he was prepared to accept two Liberal amendments leaving Queen Anne’s bounty intact. This concession, involving £15,000, inflamed, the Welsh Radicals, who subsequently decided to vote against the, proposal. Lord Robert Cecil’s amendment to appoint a committee of jurists to decide what were private benefactions prior to 1662 was negatived. / Mr. Samuel, in reply to a question, said that the Government would not answer Australia’s request for a subsidiary conference until a reduction of the Atlantic cable rates was made. He added that further reductions were contemplated on January 1. The Insurance Act has created 884 new officials in England, with salaries aggregating £89,000 annually.