IMPERIAL POLITICS.

Timaru Herald, Volume XIIC, Issue 13837, 24 February 1909, Page 5

IMPERIAL POLITICS.

~ THE HOP BILL/ . AMENDMENT DEFEATED. Press Association-rßy Telenraph-Copyrigl.it Received 11.30 p.m., Feb. 23rd. ■' ■• .. LONDON, Feb. 23. "In the House ol Commons, the Hon. C. G. Hay's Bill to prohibit hop substitutes: in :brewing, and the importation of hops except'-in properly marked bags;' was' read' a/'first "time. Mr A. Porisonby's amendment to the Address-'in-JR.eply, 'in.', favour of a Bill dealing with the.-House of Lords' veto this session, was negatived bv 225 votes to 47 votes. Mr Asquith,- the Prime - . Minister, described the amendment as equivalent to a vote of censure,, and urged that the pledges given for the session, including provincial proposals, must be hououred. < - • • ■ .-■ - -■r-.'-A:

The ..contemplated change involved a dissolution, and the'issue must be sub-mitted.^-to the country at the earliest opportunity, consistent with the discharge of the Government's obligations regarding social reform. The mover declared that the. Government were brave in nothing but words, and were conscious that the country was not behind them.

The minority consisted of l.Pern'j Nationalists, and Labourites.