LAND TAX OR TARIFF.

Dominion, Volume 2, Issue 569, 26 July 1909, Page 7

LAND TAX OR TARIFF.

FREE-TRADE FINANCE. LIBERALS' "ONLY ALTERNATIVE." ENTERPRISE NOT. TAXED. (By Telegraph.—Prcsa Association.—Copyrleht.) (Rcc. July 20, 5.3 p.m.) , London, July 24. Addressing a crowded and outhusiastio meeting at the Cannon Stroet Hotel, tho Piimo Minister, Sir. Asquith, -chaiactoriscd the speeches at tho bankers' and merchants' meeting of protest against tho Budget as being full of misconceptions. It was, ho said, universally admitted that thero was at present an almost unprecedented gap in tho exchequers of almost all lich and progressive nations. Tho Government's critics admitted that the requirements of national dofonco and social reform necessitated now sources of revenue. However hard-pressed tho Chancellor of the Exohequer might be, ho would not be justified in resorting to measures of extortion and spoliation; but tho land taxes wore tolls on accretions of value in certain classes on land which arose from social causes and not from individual enterprise. The only alternative, added Mr. Asquitb, was a tariff. . THE SPIRIT OF LIBERALISM. ' J REFORM WITH MODERATION. London, July 23. The, Prim- Minister, Mr. Asquith, speaking at -the Eighty Club, declared that tho Government was eschew ing on tho ,one band any partial and preferential' follies of the reactionary party, and on the othor tho wild,, impracticable, and visionary schemes of those .who would sap the very sources of individual enterprise and initiative. . .BY FOUR VOTES. NEARLY 'CARRIED AGAINST /rh'/-.f : " : V. '< TO FINANCE LANO'' PURCHASE "WITH : .;coNsoL':'issuEs;..; :\-: : , (By Tcleßraph.-Vresi: AeioclaUon.-Ooeyilßhll ;'■ ';; r ;! ; ; <Rec. July-25, 5.5 p.m.) . ".■'■'. , ;; >' ; ; . : London, July. 24. ~f jln committee of ".the House. of Commons' on "the-] 1 Irish Land Purohaso Bill,; 'Mr.' Dillon (Nationalist) moved ariamendment;authorising ;the Treasury ito raiso the' money for laud purchase bythe'issue'of Consols. ..; . .; ;Tho.- Gpverninent-- refused to accept the Emendmbnt on .the, ground that the proposal Would reduce, tho credit of tho country; and .tno!'price^6£ i .C6iis6ls^'\ l,i; •.'"'* '■;':''*■'' - ; : : .:"'-. ;/-. l .The--amepdincnt r wßis defeated by only four votes," tho voting- being:— "'. . ■ ,■''- .^For^thevarnciidment ■"...■■[;" ....' 128 V : ■i ;■ Against -the ameudmoht . .' . ..'.■;■- 132''',-..: .; '■'*->■.Q ;..;;i ;L4 '~ ■ ; Cries of, "Resign".- came .from tho Irish ■ and; tho Opposition .benches. - ,\ : ■'..-. '■> f.The strain of tho-pr'otraoted .Budget fighls in comnuttee',,is' no doubt-making the House ."thin" 1 in other business,.and in'considering . the smallness'.of-. thq niiuontyj.the, sraaUiwss of tho. total voting has .also to be valid. ■ 'Still;the Government is,having eome.closo shaves in opri'imittee in f :the Irisli Land Purchase. Bill whenever the..Nationalists, and/'thV-Unioni&ts; 'join .'forces; , as. they did on .July- 9,. when. Mr.; Redmoiid's.' tenant's annuity ametidWent. was rojebted'by.qnly.,3s votes; vOn the same. day* , . '.in a • ■subsequent' : dirisioii,: the Gdvirnnifliifc's ■m'siority/felt to 32;- Now;., it.is doivivto .four. ■.Tliß^udge^and'land , taxes -are,- of course,- .the .imrartibunt 'issne.]' * ' '"'.':" ■' ',":'' '■ i'". ''■•:' i ''~ • ~