LAND TAXES.

Dominion, Volume 2, Issue 561, 16 July 1909, Page 5

LAND TAXES.

THE REGISTRATION OF TRANSFERS. • MR: BALFOUR PROTESTS. CONSTITUTIONALITY QUESTIONED. (By Tolcgraph.—Press Association.—Copyright.) ( (Rcc. July 15, D.15 p.m.) London, July 15. In tho debute on the Finance Bill in tho °. House of Commons, Mr. W. 11. Dickinson [ (Liberal member for St. Pancras North) T moved an amendment to the effect that in * every cab? of land transfer—whether or not duty was duo in connection with it—particulars of such transfer should bo supplied; . thus giving tho country an up-to-date land j Tcciitori .Mr. Dickinson's amendment was accepted by tho Chancellor of tho Exchequer, Mr. ' Lloyd-George. • ' Tho Leader of tho Opposition, Mr., Bal- '• four, amid interruptions by Labour mom- ' bors, strenuously protested against the new 1 turn of affairs, namely—tho transformation of the Bill into a moasuro of compulsory registration of titln. He defied any constitutional .lawyer to say that such a chango by means of an amendment was legitimate. Mr. Lloyd-George; Conveyances and leases are already under tho cognisance of Somerset House—(the office of the Registrar-Gen-eral, Inland Revenue, Exchcquor,. etc.)— and it will only bo necessary in futuro to add a fow particulars. After a "scene" which aroso incidentally (reported in another column) > the amendment was carried, the voting being:— For tho 'amendment 218 Against tho amendment ... 101 Government majority ... 117 SMALL VALUES EXEMPTED. PURELY AGRICULTURAL LAND NOT TAXED. London, July 14. The Government's Finance Bill is 'still id the committee stage in tho Ilouso .of .Commons. During tho discussion, Mr. Lloyd-George, Chancellor of the Exchequer, promised to exempt from tho operation of the now land taxes all purely agricultural land, unless the value passes into another category, such as building. Holdings under tho valuo of £SCO will also bo exempted. _