BRITISH POLITICS.

Wairarapa Age, Volume XXVIII, Issue 7981, 8 March 1906, Page 5

BRITISH POLITICS.

THE HOURS OF SHOP ASSISTANTS. Received March 7, 8.20 a.m. LONDON, March 6. In the. House'of Commons Mr Herbert Gladstone, Secretary of State for Home Affairs, in reply to a question, said the Government was willing to participate in the international conference to consider labour and industrial questions, to be held at Switzerland. Mr Crooks asked if the Government would legislate in limiting the hours of shop assistants to tbe limit permitted by the Factories and Workshops Act. Mr Gladstone replied that though many assistants worked unduly long hours, to fix a minimum would be a, very strong measure, and might result iu considerable publio inconvenience. ... ... . .., ~,. ... 7 , . ... ':■..., THE ADMINISTRATION OF~" INDIA. LORDS KITCHENER AND MINTO IN ACCORD. Received Maiob 7, 8.45 a.m. LONDON, March 6. Mr Johu Motley, Secretary of State .for India, announced in the House of Commons that Lord Kitchener and Lord Minto hod telegraphed that they would do their utmost to ensure tbe successful working of the new army organisatio'i in India. THE ARMY ESTIMATES. Reoeived Maroh 7, 10.32 p.m. LONDON, Maroh 7. In the House of Commons the Army Estimates, totalling £29,796,000, were submitted. ) Mr R. B, Haldane, Secretary of State, War Department, in a memorandum, states that he does not desire to attempt a serious change in the policy of the Army, without full consideration. He has abandoned Mr Forster's Homo Army soheme, and has decided to adopt the short rifle, and to reduce the established service by 5,300 men, through the disbandment of the Royal Garrison Regiment, and the withdrawal of the garrison of artillery at Halifax and Esquimait. IN THE LORDS. DEBATE ON THE ADMIRALTY POLIOT. AUSTRALIA AND CANADA'S PROPOSALS. Reoeived March 7, 11.35 p.m. LONDON, Maroh 7. In the House of Lords, during the debate on the Admiralty polioy, Lord Brassey stated that the Australian and Canadian proposals in regard to the oreatibn of naval foroes for looaldefenoe promised far-reach-ing results. Britain's true polioy was to encourage colonial governments to organise in that direction. It was in vain to expect contributions to the Imperial exchequer.