IMPERIAL QUESTIONS.

Timaru Herald, Volume XC, Issue 13218, 23 February 1907, Page 5

IMPERIAL QUESTIONS.

NE"^yFRANCHISE BILL. United Press ,Association-4-Per Electric Telegraph—Copyright. ■■" - . . LONDON,. February 21. ■ In the House of'Commons,-Sir Charles Dike, introduced a. Bill providing for a single franchise .for- men. '.arid; women of fail;'age,whether single or married. The 1 Bill also provides that tliere shall be no disqualification as to sex or- marriage, when voting for members of. Parliarnert, or for any-public function. -.' A LIBERAL VICTORY. LONDON, February 21. The by-e'ecfion for' South 'Aberdeen to fi'.l the. vacancy caused by. the appointment of Mr. Bryce. as Ambassador, to America resulted -an follows■:'.—Mr Eslemont. Liberal, 3779; Mr McNeil, Unionist, 3412; Mr Bramley, Labour, 1740. THE UNEMPLOYED. LONDON, February 21. Mr Will Thome's amendment to the Addres.s-in-Reply, regretting that the; questi'ojj of ruiemployment was not mentioned in the King's Speech was rejected by 207 votes to 47 votes-. Mr John Burns -protested against any attempt to add a link to the pauperising chain. The Addrea?-in-Reply was then agreed to. ■ _'■■.,.' ; -/"'//-vIRISH AFFAIRS.','..' : "' LONDONf February 21. Mr Birre'.i, Chief Secretary for Ireland, in reply to a' question stated that the In-spector-General of Consta'buiary reported that, up till January 31st there had bead ten cases of serious boycotting in Ireland, and 58 minor cases, 'or., attempts .at. -boycott. .. ' '"• ' "' THE QUESTION' OF PREFERENCE. LONDON, February 2,1. . Mr.Lloyd George.(Board of Trade), when speaking-"on Mr Hill's amendment, denied that the colonies need England's preference. ' : '':■■' ". , ' I.' Owiiig to his•'attack- on: "Mr Balfour Mr Rowland Hunt's name has been omitted from the official list of Unionist members' : The " Times " complains. / that Mr" Balfour was , merely negatively ■'•■ declaring' himself opposed to high protective duties on foodstuffs, but. by cot ; speaking clearly in re'ation to preference he expeced himself to the raillery of his opponents.: THE IMPERIAL CONFERENCE. LONDON, February 21. At the United Entpire Club dinner, Sir Horace Tozer, Agent-General- for Queensland, said lie regretted ;that the. Gdvernnient had -decided to/close: the '.door against discussion at the Imperial- Conference .of one of the most important, questions affecting the mutual interests of -/Britain' and the colonies. He declared that the colonies were anxious to share in the responsibilities of the Empire. It was absurd to-suppose that tire giving of some preference to ■ the colonies would necessitate the 'imposition of undue burdens on the British working classes. MELBOURNE, February 21.; Mr Deakinv in jexplaining -vhis< intentions at the Imipe'rial Conference;, indieafed that he would •support- the conferehce being" made .'an Imperial Council, consisting of the Prime Ministers of the Colonies, who will hieet periodically and otherwise hold consultations by nir" organised: system' bf correspondence 'with; the permanent secretary, and. gather and collate information. He also indicated that he would advocate preference: between the colonies, and that Britain should give, as well as receive, under 'preference. NAVAL OUTSTATIONS. LONDON, February 22. In the House of Commons., Mr Robertsons Secretary" to the Adiriralty, in. reply to- aquestion" adnutted that the Admiralty was not sending to' the • outlying stations ships appearing;'.-in the Navy List-as available for subsidiary service.;' .THEy LORDS REFORM BILL. . LONDON, February 22. Lord Newton's Lpide Reform Bill has been read a- first time in the House of Lords. The Bill witlujlds the wi:it.tp..sunTLmons a, peer unless he had held certain high political, civil, na\al or military offices, or been elected twice before succeeding to the peerage, or uri'ess'.' elected /as"a- representative peer; all tire -lrereditory peers without seats would alect "oire-fourth of their number as representatives peers for one Parliament. The Bill confers on the Crown the power to appoint- life peers to represent the of those unrepresented hitherto, and ; reduces the number of bishops sitting in the House. The second reading was fixe J- for, the sth March.