IMPERIAL POLITICS.

Gisborne Times, Volume XXVII, Issue 2650, 4 November 1909, Page 5

IMPERIAL POLITICS.

THE ELECTION RETURNS.

United Press Association—Copyright LONIIjON, Nov.'3.

Progressives won sixteen seats at Camberwell, .seven, at Southwark, and seventeen at .Hackney. The municipal reformers gained 28 seats'at Battersea. They now hold 52 out of 54. The turnover was largely due to Socialist candidates. «

The chief features of the London elections were the success of the reformers at Battersea, where two Progressive Socialists were elected, the loss of the former’s majority at Southwark, and Lord Monkswell’s defeat at Chelsea. Generally the Reformers maintain the advantage gained at last election.

AUSTEN CHAMBER LA IN MOVES THE REJECTION OF THE BUDGET.

{Received November 3, 9.25 p.m.) LONDON, Nov. 3.

In 'the House of Commons Mr. Austen Chamberlain, in moving the rejection of the Finance Bill, denounced its underlying principle of placing special burdens on special . people. He incidentally remarked that much of the friendly societies’ money was invested in land, which would be subject to a tax when they turned it over and dealt with it. (Ministerial cries of “Why not?”) Mr. Chamberlain continued: “That is an admission whereof we have taken note.” He said that one man could hold up his land for five years merely by leasing it to a cricket or a football club, while another .would be taxed for developing it. The Budget had gravely injured building, land, and the licensed and tobacco trades. These taxes might be used as a last resource in a .great emergency. They were grievous if necessary, and criminal if unnecessary. Let the Government seek to build up instead of seeking to destroy. Let them cease ruining particular trades by burdens too heavy to bear. If necessary, spread the net wider, let the vast mass of foreign imports competing with the products of our industries pay some toll to benefit the market they enjoyed. Let the Government give security for industry, for employment, and the Treasury would share in the prosperity, not of a class, but of the nation. He concluded: w Put our people on an equality with others. Give them a fair start in fibe race, and I am not afraid of the result. You will open npw sources of revenue, and find work for the workless and bread for the hungry.” A MINISTERIAL REPLY.. (Received November 3, 11.20 p.m.) Sir Wm. Robson, Attorney-General, speaking to Mr. Austen Chamberlain’s motion, justified taxing the unearned increment, which often meant unexpected wealth. The Finance Bill was not socialistic. Socialism aimed at substituting State action for individual enterprise. The Bill protected individual enterprise where it was imperilled. Doubtless this Budget’s object was something nioi-e than a financial.object, and Mr. Chamberlain’s object would also be more. He added: “I am glad that the Bill w’as not framed without regard to higher considerations, which put its finance on a higher plane.”