BRITISH POLITICS.

Wairarapa Age, Volume XXXII, Issue 3119, 20 February 1909, Page 5

BRITISH POLITICS.

CABLE NEWS.

United PreßS Association—By Electric Telegraph Copyright,

ADDRESS-IN-REPLY. OPPOSITION'S AMENDMENT. Received February 19, 9 a.m. LONDON, February 18. Mr Austen Chamberlain will move the Opposition's official amendment regretting that the Government had failed to recognise the gravity of the state of trade and unemployment, and emphasising the need for fiscal reform, in order to promote the growth and stability of Home trade, to negotiate for the mitigation of foreign tariffs, and develop Britain's oversea trade by preference within the Empire.

IN THE HOUSE OF LORDS. GOVERNMENT OF IRELAND. "A SCANDAL AND A DISGRACE." Received February 19, 9.55 p.m. LONDON, February 19. The Marquis of Londonderry attacked the government of Ireland. He said it was a scandal and a disgrace to any civilised country. He emphasised the increase in the number of outrages since the Hon. A. Birreli had been Chief Secretary for Ireland. In some counties the horrors were inconceivable, and the people's lives were a hell upon earth. Lord Denman replied that twothirds of the country was peaceable. After referring to intimidation in other parts, he admitted that circumstances might conceivably "arise compelling the enforcement of the Ciirnes Act, or an appeal to the Legislature for special additional powers. Lord Mac Donald stated that he had personally been inclined to give a short shrift to the agitation. He hoped that the land purchase would be completed in ten or fifteen years. The Lords agreed to the Address-in-Reply.