IMPERIAL POLITICS.

Timaru Herald, Volume LXXXIII, Issue 12906, 19 February 1906, Page 5

IMPERIAL POLITICS.

IMPORTANT UNIONIST MEETING

United Press Association—Per Electric

Telegraph—Copyright. LONDON, February 16. _Mr Balfour, in presiding at a» meeting' of 650 Peers, members of the House of Commons, and defeated candidates, at Lansdowne House, recommended reorganisation throughout the country, and a closer understanding between Conservative central offices. He' said that success depended on a united constructive policy, and " the maintenance of Unionist principles. The Duke of Norfolk, in moving confidence in Mr Balfour's leadership, appealed for such efficient criticism and opposition to attacks on principles in the House of Commons as to en aWe the House ■of Lords, when necessary, to exercise a constitutional dutv.

Mr Saunderson seconded; the motion

The Duke of Devonshire saw no reason if a modus vivendi on the fiscal question could be deyised for the lifetime of the present Parliament, why they should not act together in reasonable harmony. Mr Balfour's speech of Monday imp'ieil that methods were open to discussion till the time of practical action arrived. Jjut. the correspondence disclosed a compromise unsatisfying to the Tariffites, Retaliatory or Freetraders.

Mr Chamberlain replied that to shelve tariff reform for five years would - v ound the death knell of the policy and party. He denied that there was a compromise; it was merely -a qqest ion of definition.

... Viscount St. Alfhvyn (formerly Sir Michaeli Hicks-Beaph» supported retaliation and an open Colonial Conference. He admitted that the definition did pot commit a party- to a general' tariff, or a tax oi»'cojjn| but asked.for fair play for those whd.'irere not prepared to commit themselves to the latter, Mr Balfour informed Lord Hugh Cecil that hej did not interfere with the constituencies in the j&oice of a candidate, but if asked for advice would prefer a candidate not offering divided allegiance. The niotion of confidence in Mr Balfour was carried unanimously, amid enthusiasm. THK liABOUR PARTY'S DEMANDS. t ___ Received 12.28 p.m.. Februnrv 18th. LONDON. February 17. The Labour Representation Committee have resolved "in favour of an extension of the franchise to women; have defined a definite policy for labour to secure the readjustment of taxation so that the 'national income and cost of soci;«l reforms be levied by taxation on all unearned increment deTived from communal wealth; drastic reforms in the Education and Shop Hours Acts are demanded, and the total prohibition of betting sews is advocated. Mr Barnes, a Commoner, declared that

if tilts party aid not get social reform, there would be .a scene in the House of Commons.

The " Daily X ews" in commenting on the question of ©3d age pensions. advises Sir Asquith to revise and then graduate the income tax.

Mr Keir Hardie. speaking at Queen's Hall, said that the Government's attitude towards pensions was a betrayal of their election promii-Bs.