IMPERIAL POLITICS.

Star (Christchurch), Issue 7203, 11 February 1892, Page 4

IMPERIAL POLITICS.

■ ♦ THE OPENING OF PARLIAMENT. The opening of Parliament was not attended by any proceeding of importance. In tbe House of Lords • Lord Lamington urged close federa- , tion witb tbe Colonies. It is probable that an amendment to tbe Address-in-Reply will be moved in favour of disendowment of the Welsh Church. Notice was given of tbe introduction oE Female Franchise and Eight Hoars Bills. Mr Balfour gave notice to call upon Mr De Cobain, the i member for Belfast, to attend in his place within a fortnight. Lord E. Churchill expressed himself in favour of the eight hours limit for work in mineß, and of Labour members in the House. Mr Redmond gave notice to-day to move for an amnesty to political prisoners. Mr Gladstone returns from the Continent on Saturday week. Lord Salisbury, replying to the criticisms of Lord Kimberley, de--clared that England would never surrender Egypt to the supremacy of nnother Power, or leave it to destruction by itself. He alleged that the dispute was due to the Colonists themselves. An Addresa-in-Reply was agreed to in the House of Lords. Fbb.lo. Sir W. J. Sendall has been appointed Governor of Cyprus. The ceremony of opening Parliament was of an unusually sombre character, everybody appearing in deep black. Mr Lowther moved an amendment to the Address-in-Reply, urging the Government to terminate treaties which prevent differential treatment of the Colonies by England. He argued that if some cbange were not made the Colonies ■would be tempted to act by themselves. Mr Howard Vincent seconded the amendment. Sir M. Hicks Beach, in reply, said the Government was letter able to take a broad view of the commercial relations of the Empire than any of the Colonies. They would go a long way to secure a zollverein embracing England and her Colonies, but such an amendment at the present juncture was injurious. When a favourable opportunity offered they would try and get tbe treaties revised, but the occasion was rot opportune. The amendment was negatived without a division. Sir W. V. Harcourt said the Opposition would support a genuine honest measure of local government for Ireland. The debate on the Addresa-in-Reply was adjourned. Mr Bedmond insists that one condition of the reunion of the Irish Party shall be the expulsion of Mr Healy. It ii alleged that Mr Schnadhorßt, the organiser of the Liberal Party, estimates that the majority at the general ejection, including the majority of the Irish Party, will be ; thirty. Both Houbcs of Parliament passed votes of condolence on the Duke of Clarence's death. Sir W. V. Harcourt, during the debate, said Lord Salisbury's speech at Exeter Hall showed how Ireland would be governed by au Orange mob. Mr Balfour defended the Premier. Mr Curzon, Political Secretary for India, announced that the Government of India intended to take measures to curtail the opium traffic.