BRITISH POLITICS.

Gisborne Times, Volume XIX, Issue 1698, 14 March 1906, Page 2

BRITISH POLITICS.

Byi lelegrafih, Press Abs'ii, Copyright

London, March 12,

Mr John Ward, a member of tho Houbo of Commons, spoaklng nt Woolwich, warned tbo Government that tho Labor mombors would accopt oxcusos of financial obstacles to tho paymont of mombors and old ago pensions for one sosaion only. Mr Agar Roborteon’s Land Tonuro Bill, based on tho principlo that tonant farmora’ capital should not bo liable to confiscation, was read a Booond timo by a majority of 253. Tho Bill oxtonds, oheapens, and simplifies tho law of compensation for tenants’ improvements. Tho Unionist pri.s complains that it is an attempt to initiato universal dual ownership in England and Scotland.

FREETRADE PLEA

By; telegraph, Press Asa’n, Copyright Reoeivod 10.36 p.m , March 13.

London, Maroh 13,

Mr ICitson moved that the House, recognising that the people in tho reoent e'oetions demonstrated their unqualified fidelity to tho priooiples and practice of freetrade, records its determination to resist any proposal, whether to tax corn or for a general tariff to create in Britain a system of protection. He emphasisod that the situation had been changed, letters of the 14th showing Mr Balfour’s absolute surrender to Mr Chamberlain. He quoted statistics as to the unparalelled production of the iron and steel trade.

A BANTERING SPEECH.

By telegraph. Press Ass’n, Copyrigh

Received 1 5 a.m., Maroh 14,

London, March 13,

Mr Austin Taylor, seconding the motiop, showed that notwithstanding the gigantic changes the souroes of wheat supply and prioes had soaroely varied. He did not believe Imperial unity would bo imperillod if they prooounoed against artificially meddling with the food supply. He hopod that the union between Balfour and Chamber- 1 lain would be as perfeot as the UDion of tho doublo star Algol, whoße dual nature was only detected when one member of the system eclipsed the other. Mr Balfour playfully attecked the Government for raising unnecessary discussion and picking a quarrel with the Opposition. It was the Opposition’s business to quarrel with the Government. He proneeded to banter the Government for the self donyiog ordinance resolution, precluding Mr Asquith for the next six years from iotroduoing any duty not adequately balanosd by excise. We had such duties on tobaooo and occoa. Does the Government mean to retain these two protective duties ? Money is needed for education, payment of members, also for inoreased military prepa-ations. How will they find it without widening the basiß of Taxation and violating the principles mentioned?