LIBERAL POLICY.

Dominion, Volume 6, Issue 1662, 31 January 1913, Page 5

LIBERAL POLICY.

SPEECH BY MR ASQUITH. - ~—~ "THE TWO GREATEST SOCIAL REFORMS." Br Tekera»h-pMn Ai»oolUlon-Co»7rf«h» (Rcc. January 30, 0.55 p.m.). London, January 30. The Prime Minister, Mr. Asquith,'in a speech at Leveu, Pifo, said the-'Govern-ment had placed on the Statuto Book two of the greatest social reforms—old age pensions- aiid A insurance—ever enacted. They had also provided for the maintenance of an.unchallenged command of tho sea without'adding a penny to the debt, hut had actually diminished tho country's capital liabilities to n larger extent than any of their predecessors, without clogging industry. Relations with the overseas Empire had never boon more cordial. Tho colonies were nobly co-operating in a common defence.

It was obvious that tho Unionists had abandoned Chambcrlainism, but the recent tortuosities and gyrations ef the Unionist party made it difficult to grasp their present policy. No effective : colonial preference was possible without food duties. Britain had nothing to gain, and everything to lose by changing her fiscal policy.

• In reply to a question whether he desired the taxation of land values, Mr. Asquith said the matter was being considered in the Land Bill, and he was unable to disclose its provisions.