IMPERIAL POLITICS.

Gisborne Times, Volume XXVII, Issue 2651, 5 November 1909, Page 5

IMPERIAL POLITICS.

DISCUSSION ON THE BUDGET,

United Press Association—-Copyright. LONDON, Nov. 3. In the course of the debate on Mr Chamberlain’s motion, Mr H. Cos, Liberal member for Preston, intimated that much as he disliked land taxes, he intended to vote for the. Budget proposals. rt

Mr. P. Snowden, Labor member for Blackburn, vigorously supported the Budget proposals, because it began to supply in a small way the principles held by Socialists. He urged the Opposition not to talk nonsense about tariff reform to the working classes, whose intelligence they underrated. Mr C. E. Hobhouse, Liberal member for Bristol East, in defending the Bill, declared that while the total capital sent abroad was greater than that for any preceding period, the percentage did not exceed that of twenty years ago.

Mr. H. Belloc, Liberal member for Salford South, supported the Budget proposals and freetrade on the grounds that he was convinced the country was unable to stand the complete topsyturveydom that would follow the imposition of a duty on foreign manufactures. He would prefer that the country undertake a dangerous war with a great rival than to make such an experiment. The “Daily News” reports that three hundred Peers have told Lord Landsdowne that they will vote against the Budget.

SCENE BETWEEN MESSRS BALFOUR AND URE.

(Received November 4, 11.15 p.m.) LONDON, Nov. 4.

Mr. Ure, Solicitor-General for Scotland, resumed the Budget debate. He made an impassioned reply to Mr. Balfour’s previous strictures ,of his remarks as to tariff reformers and old age pensions. He claimed that he simply doubted the adequacy of a tariff system in the matter of providing old age pensions.

Mr. Balfour, amid stormy interruptions, maintained his ground, and declared that Mr. Ure went further than lie now claimed, inasmuch as he had predicted that the result of such inadequacy would he the non-fulfilment of national obligations.

Mr. Asquith regretted Mr. Balfour’s non-withdrawal , of . the charges after Mr. Ure’s convincing speech. .

Mr, J. Bertram, Liberal member for North Herts, announced that he would vote against the . Budget owing to the land' taxes.

Mr. S. H. Whitbread, Liberal member for South Hunts, declared' he would not support the Budget licensing clauses.