IMPERIAL POLITICS.

Gisborne Times, Volume XXVII, Issue 2578, 12 August 1909, Page 5

IMPERIAL POLITICS.

the land tax proposals

ldicussed in the commons for FIFTEEN HOURS/'

United Fiiess Association—copyright

LONDON, August

The House of Commons had a fifteenhours’ sitting. Mr Lloyd-George proposed that land whereon the owners had spent £IOO per acre in development purposes bo exempted from the undeveloped land tax. The amendment was carried. V

fax Asquith expressed pleasure at receiving a deputation .headed by Mr J. Howlands, M.P.. who presented the resolutions carried at the meeting in Hyde Park. Mr Rowlands emphasised the representative character of the -gathering, and its thorough unanimity. [Mr Rowlands is Liberal and Labor member for North West Kent. The Hyde Park meeting was organised by -'Government supporters as a counterblast to the many gatherings held in opposition to the Budget proposals. It was attended by 100,000 people. Sixty members of Parliament were present, and there were many processions through the streets, carrying banners. Resolutions were carried approving of the Government’s . taxation proposals, particularly those securing a complete valuation of all land. This was declared to be essential to any policy of land and social reform.]

SIR EDWARD GREY ON THE BUDGET. DECLARES IT TO BE BECOMING MORE POPULAR.

(Received August 11, 10.40 p.m.) LONDON, August 11.

Sir Edward Grey, speaking at Leeds, said that the merit of taxation was to place it on the'shoulders of those who could best afford to bear it. That was the best of this Budget, which was beginning to be more popular. The outburst against it was in inverse proportion to knowledge. Lord Lansdowne’s claims that the Lords must see that the people were properly consulted, and must protect the people’s right to have a say on the subject, represented a very nice function, if only performed impartially, but, under the constitution of the House of Lords, it was. a weapon —great gun if you like —which can be 'pointed only against Liberal measures, and is iu the hands of the Conservative party. Sir Edward Grey asked: “Will they fire the' gun, or not? They are debating in their own minds what will happen if they fire the gun. Will they destroy the Budget; or will the recoil of the gun be more injurious to' themselves? Whatever the Lords do, when our appeal is made to the country it will be an appeal on this freetrade .Budget, and against the alternative —tariff reform.” He added that the Budget is fair and reasonable, and it had a advantage in the true principle of legislation. He had no doubt what the verdict of the great centres like Leeds would be.

(Received August 12, 12.10 a.m.) Mr. Asquith and Mr. Balfour will address successive mass meetings on the Budget question during the last half of September.