IMPERIAL POLITICS.

Gisborne Times, Volume XXVII, Issue 2597, 3 September 1909, Page 5

IMPERIAL POLITICS.

GROCERS’ LICENSES. <

IRISH AND SCOTCH OPPOSITION.

United Press Association—copTKiawT LONDON, SepOT” Lord Rosebery, yielding' to widespread appeals, speaks . against the Budget at Glasgow on September 10. /.(Received September 2, 10.30 p.m.) LONDON, Sept. 2. Mr. Lloyd-George’s proposed restrictions in connection with grocers licenses in Scotland and Ireland are exciting great opposition. Many communications are reaching private members on the subject. Mr. Redmond moved to exclude Ireland' from the operation of the new licenses. Mr. Asquith, in a conciliatory reply, said that, while acceptance of such a sweeping amendment was out of the question, he would be prepared to go some way towards meeting Mr. Red L mond’s views. The Government would reduce the minimum amount of license duty payable, in respect of public houses in a.reas with a given population in Ireland, as compared with public houses in areas of the same population in England or Scotland. He would further propose that the system of valuation in Ireland' should not be disturbed. -Ho promised to consider some concessions to small brewers.

Mr. J. J. Clancy (Nationalist member for North Dublin) thanked Mr. Asquith, but intimated that the Nationalists would reserve judgment until the concessions took the form of amendments.

: Mr. Balfour, in the course of a spirited criticism, said he was unable to understand why a small publican or brewer in Ireland should be treated differently from his brethren in England and Scotland. He suggested, amid Unionist cheers, that there had been a political bargain, and added: “After all, you,may carry these bargains too far; may sacrifice too much.” He supposed that* this was an old bargain, and it was scandalous that the Government should; have kept it. He contended that the committee had' been monstrously used.