IMPERIAL POLITICS.

Gisborne Times, Volume XXVII, Issue 2561, 23 July 1909, Page 5

IMPERIAL POLITICS.

EXEMPTION FROM REVERSION DUTY. AN ACRIMONIOUS DEBATE. United Press Association—Copyright. LONDON, July . 21. There was a , long and acrimonious debate on the question of exemptions from reversion duty. The debate continued, until 7 o’clock this morning. Mr. Balfour declared that the conditions under which the business of the House, was conducted were a scandal and monstrous. The Opposition were required to sit night after night, whilst squads of the Ministerialists were resting.

Clauses 8 and 9 were carried. Clearances of tobacco for home consumption in May and June have declined 15 B-5 per cent owing to additional taxation. *

THE CONFLICT BETWEEN LORDS AND COMMONS. MR, WINSTON CHURCHILL’S INDISCREET UTTERANCE. (Received July 22, 11 p.m.) LONDON, July 22.

Mr. Asquith,, in the House of Commons, said that Mr. Winston Churchill had informed him that' he had said nothing about an immediate dissolution in his speech at Edenborough, but had only attempted to convoy that the constitutional conflict in the House must he ultimately settled by the. country. The explanation was greeted with laughter. ' .

The “Daily Chronicle” says that Mr. Winston Churchill’s indiscretion was two-fold. He was not the man to announce tho Cabinet’s decision, and his scheme was tantamount to submission to the House of Lords, who have no right to force a dissolution. The “Daily News” says : “If the Crown refuses to. create new peers, as wo think it ought, a dissolution cannot bo avoided. The Lords have power to enforce a dissolution.”

Mr. Asquith has given notice of motion to give the-deputy-Chairman of -Committees power to accept the closure, with a view to quickening the progress of the Budget. The “Times” states that the Government recognises that if discussion continues on present conditions, tho Finance Bill will be in an impasse. If the debates continue till Christmas, they will thereby greatly delay the consideration of next session’s legislation.

The Right Hon. H. L. Samuel, speaking at the National Liberal Club, said that in the Government’s view it was as unconstitutional for the Lords do interfere with the details of the Finance Bill as it would ba for tho Sovereign to veto the legislation.

THE APPOINTMENT OF MAGISTRATES. DEBATE IN THE HOUSE OF LORDS. . » (Received July 22, 10.30 p.m.) LONDON, July 22. Lord James of Hereford initiated a debate in the. House of Lords upon the method of appointing Magistrates. Lord Loreburn . (Lord Chancellor) stated that 6000 appointments had been made in three years, and 20,000 applications refused. Sectarian and political .■jealousy made the choice difficult. King Edward was appointing a commission to consider the question of a remedy.