IMPERIAL POLITICS.

Gisborne Times, Volume XXVII, Issue 2582, 17 August 1909, Page 5

IMPERIAL POLITICS.

rNO PROTEST FROM WORKING LLASSEo, LORD MONSON CONSIDERS BUDGET SOCIALISTIC. -United Press Association—Copyright. LONDON, August 15. The Premier, Mr Asquith, speaking at Bletchley, said he had no conception of the splendid character of the reception that awaited the Budget. No protests had been received from the ' working or middle classes.

Lord Monson declined to attend a Liberal demonstration at Barton-ou-Humber, on the ground that the Budget was socialistic in principle and antagonistic to Liberalism. If passed it would, he stated, prove highly detrimental to the great financial and commercial interests of the country. Doctor Arthur Evans, tariff reformer, a distinguished archaeologist, has agreed to oppose Lord Hugh Cecil, who promised to stand for Oxford University upon Mr J. C. Talbot’s impending resignation. PROTEST LEAGUE’S UNSUCCESSFUL MEETING. ANTI-BUDGET MOTION DEFEATED (Received August 16, 10.30 p.m.) LONDON, August 16. Fifteen thousand people attended the Budget Protest League’s demonstration at Manchester. Mr. Joyneson Hicks was constantly interrupted. Cheer after cheer was given for Messrs Lloyd-George and Winston Churchill. ‘The Protest League’s resolution was defeated by a large majority. Mr. "Walter Long, who was Undersecretary for Ireland in the last Unionist Government, is president of the .Budget Protest League, which claims to be a non-party organisation. It sets forth its objects as under:—(l) To spread information as to the effects which will be caused upon various classes of the community by the very complicated financial proposals now before Parliament; (2) to enable those who are opposed te these proposals to give expression to their views; (3) to. focus and give publicity to the feeling of the country upon a Budget, which is unconstitutional, Socialistic, and opposed to the best interests of all classes.

The duty of in tlie £ on the site value of undeveloped lands is being bitterly fought. Land is deemed "to be undeveloped if it is not built upon or used for any business, trade, or industry. other than agriculture, (which includes market gardens, nurseries, and allotments); but the duty shall not be charged when the site value does not exceed £SO an acre. Even yvhen agricutlural land exceeds £SO an acre in value, the duty is not chargd if its site value is entirely due to its agricutural value. The site value of the land means the value of the fee simple, if .sold in the open market by a willing seller, after being divested of buildings, growing timber, and fruit trees. Deductions will be allowed for value directly attributable to permanent works executed by the owner, other than those for agriculture. Domestic gardens, not exceeding an acre in extent are exempted, and, when not exceeding two acres, get a proportional abatement. Special provision is made as to the exemption of parks and open spaces of public access.