IMPERIAL POLITICS.

Gisborne Times, Volume XXVIII, Issue 2768, 24 March 1910, Page 5

IMPERIAL POLITICS.

THE .GOVERNMENT’S “RESOLUTIONS.”

United Press Association— Copyright

LONDON, March 22,

In the House of Commons, Mr. A. D. Steel Maitland accused the Government of creating financial chaos. Mr. Chamberlain cashed how the Government was justified in deducting income tax from ,tlie salaries of public officials if it was illegal to collect from unofficial persons. Mr. Lloyd-George, replying, ridiculed the supposition that the Treasury should beg payment of income tax wihen unable to enforce the demand.

The Conservatives have determined to fight every constituency which -they contested in the last campaign. Mr. Butcher, M.P., is urging the Government to take immediate steps to legalise the collection of income .tax, because many millions are in the. hands of banks and companies.throughout the country, some of which companies may possibly go into liquidation. Mr. Joseph King lias introduced a Bill providing for (holding all elections on one day. Mr. Kimber has introduced a Reform Redistribution Bill.

The resolutions proposed by the Government meet with approval or disapproval according to party lines. The Nationalists withhold an opinion pending a statement by the Premier as to how the Government proposes to give effect- to the scheme in the event of the House of Lords rejecting the resolutions or postponing decision. FURTHER INCREASE OF TAXATION PROBABLE. (Received March 23, 8.45 p.m.) LONDON, March 23. The Unionist party meets on Tuesday to consider Mr. Asquith’s veto resolutions. Mr Balfour will then , have returned from Cannes.' Air Redmond states that liis interview with Mr Lloyd-George left the position absolutely unchanged. The issue of Exchequer bonds was twice subscribed. The “Times” states that many persons subscribed, believing that tlie bonds would be covered sixfold, consequently they now possess much more than they wanted. Tlie bonds are quoted at one-eighth discount. 1 The “Daily Telegraph” states that 'the army, navy, and civil service esti'mates will be increased by nine millions, necessitating another twopence income tax, and the reimposition of the full sugar duty in the next Budget.

DISSOLUTION OF UNIONIST FREETRADE CLUB.

Tlie Unionist Freetrade Club has been wound up, owing to differences of opinion as to the relative importance of ’freetrade and other .political issues. Lord James of Hereford, Sir Frederick 'Pollock, and other members liave joined the Freetrade Union, which hitherto lias been predominantly Liberal. The Union’s executive promised to co-oper-ate with representative Unionist freetraders. Lord Beauchamp, the president, states that the Union received £IO,OOO, in audition to £6OOO collected by the “Daily Chronicle,” for the pur-’ pose of an independent freetrade campaign before the election. A VITUPERATIVE FREETRADER. Sir Edward Grey, addressing a freetrade demonstration in London, declared that tariff reform would make British politics not only profligate, but corrupt, and would introduce the seeds of disunion and disruption of the Eui- • pire. LORD ROSEBERY’S THIRD RESOLUTION CARRIED. (Received March 23, 10.50 p.m.) The House cf Lords, by 175 to 17, agreed to Lord Rosebery’s third resolution. Lords Ha Is bury and V emyss / acted as tollers for the non-contents. Lord Crewe .stated that, although the Government intended to deal first with the relations of the two Houses, it had never abandoned the question of reform. Lord Rosebery suggested that the House of Lords should consider further resolutions after Easter in view of laying down broad principles upon which reform should preoeed, but it was the business of the Government to introduce a Bill.