IMPERIAL POLITICS.

Gisborne Times, Volume XXVII, Issue 2619, 29 September 1909, Page 5

IMPERIAL POLITICS.

INQUIRY IN DUKE OF NORFOLK’S BREACH OF PRIVILEGE.

United I'kkch Association— Cor v mom LONDON, Sept. 27. * The Committeo of Privileges of the House of Commons made a futile inquiry into the Duke of Norfolk’s breach. They recommend that no action be taken in the matter.

The “Times” states that far more important than the privileges of a changing House of Commons are the privileges of the nation at large. These are .of such supreme importance that even an error in the direction of safeguarding them would be venial in comparison to an error in the direction of failing to protect their privileges. The issue :’s thus widely different from that proclaimed by the Government. [The House of Common s decided on the motion of Mr.' J. Dillon that the Duke of Norfolk had been guilty of a breach of privilege in writing to the Unionist candidate for High Peak in the interest of Catholic schools. Mr. Asquith said the House would be stultifying itself if it allowed the matter to pass unnoticed.]

ALLOCATION OF LAND TAX ItECEIPTS. (Heceived September 2S, 10.30 p.m.) LONDON, Sept, 28. The House of Commons agreed to Mr.' Lloyd-George’s resolution charging the consolidated fund annually with a sum equal to half the proceeds of the land values and mineral rights duties, which sum is to be divided betw r een England, Scotland, and Ireland in such manner and paid into such separate accounts and for the benefit of such local authorities as Parliament may determine. Mr. Lloyd-George explained that it was tindeeirable to deal with the apportionment in detail. The new clause apportions the sum equally between the Imperial and local financial, authorities, but hangs up the portion payable to localities, leaving the matter to be dealt with in 1910. Mr. Balfour criticised the Government changes of front, and remarked that, in his own view, land taxes, if levied at all, should be devoted solely in the interest of localities. Apparently money which was described as due to the activity of particular localities was to be distributed between the three Kingdoms. The resolution contained the danger of political corruption.

Mr. Lloyd-George replied that it was not the town alone that gives added value to adjacent land, hut every other town in the district with which it does business contributes to the result. He intended to consult municipalities in regard to the method of distribution. He favored ear-marking sums for specific purposes..