BRITISH POLITICS.

Wairarapa Age, Volume XXVIII, Issue 8107, 30 March 1906, Page 5

BRITISH POLITICS.

THE SUGAR CONVENTION. MR CHAMBERLAIN'S VIEWS. Received March 29, 8.30 a.m. LONDON, Maroh 28. The Sugar Convention <vas debated in the House of Commons. The Government declined at present to consider the policy of withdrawing, the Convention on the ground that it otill has two and a half years to run. Mr Lloyd-George, President of the Board of Trade, insisted that the Convention did not benefit the West Indies, while the fluctuation in the price of sugar had been considerable. Mr Chamberlain said that the country had not lost a penny through the Convention while the sugar colonies had d°nvod an advantage from it. THE TRADES DISPUTES BILL. Received March 29, 9.51 p.m. LONDON, March 29. In the House of Commons, Mr Lawson Walton, Member for South Loods, introduced the Trades Disputes Bill, and explained that it embodied the principle of the Bill of 1875, excepting that anything done by a combination was not illegal if lawful when done by one person. The Bill revived the law of 1859, allowing the right of peaceful persuasion in regard to the law of agency which was the most difficult part of the problem. The Bill declared that no Act pould bo made a foundation for procoediuga against Union funds unless it was evident that the governing body of the Union authorised such an Act. The Government proposed that the Union should appoint au Executive Committee, which should be alone entitled to aot in trade disputes, and against whose actions alone olaims for redress could lie. The Executive, in appointing an agent, I might presorbe his duties and restrict his sphere; if the instructions were exceeded the Union funds were not liable. Again, if a self-consi-tuted agent, alleging the Unions' authority, did wrong and the action was repudiated, the funds were unassailable. Received Maroh 29, 10.59 p.m. 1 Mr Walton, in continuing bis speeoh, said his soheaie was largely basedj on the Commission's report, and partly on a scheme submitted to the New South Wales Parliament *n 1904. If Trade Unions were placed position of immunity, other bodies, would ask the same privilege. He warned the house against the danger of removing from the unions, and particularly * the agents, the sense of responsibility ana self restraint in regard for the rights and feelings of otbera. The Government created a wire entanglement—(ironical laughter)—believing that it would prevent the unfair raiding of Trade Union funds. The views of those asking immunity should receive the most friendly consideration. The decision was leit to the House. Mr Shaokleton (Labourite) said that the Cabinet would have been more honest in rendering Trade Union funds immune. The mandate of the electors favoured that course. Mr Hudson's -Bill, raising that issue, would be again before the House to-morrow, and if read a second time ought to be embodied in the present Bill. Under the Government's Bill Trade Unioq officials could do all the Acts whereof the employers complain, and yet the- executive might evade responsibility by repudiating them. The Labour Party preferred to say that the Unions were not prepared to take the responsibility of such acts at all, and declined to seek immunity of such by fake pretences. ABOLITION OP COAST jGUAKDS Reoeived Maroh 30, 12.45 a.m. LONDON, Maroh 29. The Admiralty have abolished twenty-five coastguard stations, the drill ships and batteries. The men in future will drill aboard sea-going warships.