IMPERIAL POLITICS.

Gisborne Times, Volume XXVII, Issue 2599, 6 September 1909, Page 5

IMPERIAL POLITICS.

THE LIQUOR DUTIES. United Pukss Association —copyright LONDON, Sept. 3. In the House of Commons, exceedingly animated debates took place, largely between the occupants of the front benches, on the new scale of liquor duties. The Government’s majority in one instance fell to 78. THE LONDON LIQUOR TRADE. (Received September 5, 0.0 p.m.) LONDON, Sept. 5. Several London Liberal members vainly urged better treatment of the liquor trade, emphasising that under the old duties London pays £190,000, which under the new duties will be £BOO,OOO. NARROW GOVERNMENT MAJORITIES. During the Budget debate in the early hours of the morning, Ministers escaped defeat on several divisions only by the abstention of the Irish Nationalists, whose attitude had been more than critical. The Government’s majority in one division was 49. Before one division the chief Liberal whip crossed the floor of the House and conferred with Mr. Redmond. Mr. Balfour referred to this incident yesterday afternoon, taunting the Nationalists with selling themselves too cheaply. Many Liberals were away ,r the holidays, and urgent messages •were despatched with the view of securing a better attendance next week. COMPENSATION FOR LICENSEES. The Opposition stated in the course of the debate that Mr. Lloyd-George hopes by the new scheme to extinguish a number of licenses, and the fact that none of the license holders were to be compensated is a penalty for their nonacceptance of th© Licensing Bill of 1908. Sir Edward Carson (Conservative member for, Dublin University), with the approval of the whole of the Unionists, is to move an amendment to provide for compensation upon discontinuance of business by reason of th© increase in the liquor duties. THE PEERS AND THE BUDGET. (Received September 6, i 2.30 a.m.) The “Westminster Gazette” admits that there is a growing assumption that the House of Lords will reject the Budget, but is convinced that the Peers’ action will be the resultant of forces, the precise strength of which cannot at present be ascertained. The “Gazette” adds that the political temperature is decidedly changeable, hut Lord Lansdowne may be trusted to recommend what is the least perilous thing in all circumstances from the Unionist standpoint. [Lord Lansdowne is the leader of the Opposition in the House of Lords.]