IMPERIAL POLITICS.

Gisborne Times, Volume XXVII, Issue 2623, 4 October 1909, Page 5

IMPERIAL POLITICS.

LAND TO BE ACCEPTED FOR DEATH DUTIES.

United Press Association—Copyright LONDON, Oct. 1.

An interesting feature of the Budget debate Was that of Mr Balfour supporting the Government in connection with the clause empowering the Commissioners to accept land in payment of death duties. Mr Balfour remarked that this was a cheap means of obtaining land for public purposes, including afforestation; also enabling the multiplication of the number of small owners. Another incident was Mr Lloyd-George severely castigating Mr Snowden (Labor member for Blackburn), who protested against relief from income tax under the schedule in connection with the maintenance of repairs by a land owner, and suggested a reduction of the duty on tea instead.

Mr Lloyd-George replied that the idea would mean the imposing of a fine on owners making the houses of the people habitable. When a landlord did his duty to his neighbor the State ought to recognise the act and not penalise him for his conduct. Sir R. W. Perks, Liberal member for Louth, speaking at Louth, said the Liberal party was marching to political disaster. The position wa s similar to that of 1886, when the Whigs’ election wire-pullers advised Mr Gladstone that all was in order. To-day the silent voter must also he reckoned with.

THE COCOA. DUTIES. , . LONDON, October 2. (Received October 3, 5.5 p.m.) Mr. Rowland Hunt- (Unionist member for South Shropshire), during the Budget debate, moved the repeal of the duty on raw cocoa, and a reduction of the duty on manufactured cocoa by onehalf. He declared that Ministers had devised protection for their particular friends, and hence were inconsistent with free trade* principles. A great cocoa manufacturer not only chiefly ran one great Liberal newspaper, hut gave £20,000 just before the general election to help the free trade party. Mr. C. E. H. Hobhouse (Financial Secretary to the Treasury), in reply, said that the proposal meant reducing £290,000 revenue, which the Government was unable to afford. The amendment was negatived by 130 votes to 47.

THE MERCHANTS’ AND BANKERS’

PETITION

The “Times” says that members of the House of Commons regard the City bankers’ and merchants’ petition to the Lords as a factor of great importance, and that some Liberals favor more leisurely progress with the Finance Bill and no guillotine. A resolution .is contemplated during the Teport stage of the Bill. THE UNEMPLOYED QUESTION. The central body on unemployment in London has resolved to call Mr. Asquith’s attention to the fact that the .Employment Act is inadequate to enable it to deal properly with the constantly recurring distress from unemployment, and must be supplemented by national action, such as framing arrangements for migration and immigration, a training institution, and labor colonies. LORD HUGH CECIL’S WARNING. Lord Hugh Cecil, in a letter to the “Spectator,” says that the evils of tariff reform are less grave and less irremediable than those which would spring from the Government’s finance. For the present even the interest of ' f r€ e trade must be subordinate to escaping the dangers of socialism. He liopeg that all Unionist freetraders and moderate Liberals will concentrate to support the Lords in winning the first pitched battle in the campaign against collectivism.