IMPERIAL POLITICS.

Gisborne Times, Volume XXVI, Issue 2207, 3 June 1908, Page 3

IMPERIAL POLITICS.

THE FINANCE BILL. OPPOSITION TO THE GOVERNMENT. Unitod Press Association-Copyright. (Received June 2, 9.55 p.m.) LONDON, Juno 2. * In tho liouso of Commons, in opening a two davs’ debate on the second reading of the Finance Bill, Mr. Laurence Hardy moved that in view of tho growing liabilities and the,need for further reducing the burdens east on the ratepayers lor national pur-, poses, tlio House regrets that no attempt- has been made t-o increase revenue by broadening tho basis of taxation. . . Air. Morrison. in seconding the motion. described tho Budget ns a mad gamble for votes. Air. S. Buxton asked how the authors of the amendment proposed to broaden taxation. Air. Austen Chamber-lain aslcod how the Government intended to faco tlio £10,000,000 increased expenditure in 1908. * ,

Mr. Llbyd-George replied that tlio real issue 'was being shirked, doubtless at the instance of Air. Balfour, the wily strategist-, since it. was so much better to leave tho details of fiscal reform. He admitted that local taxation" for general purposes was serious, and must be dealt with at the earliest opportunity, and tlio first step would be a proper land valuation. He ;complained that the incidence of local rates was unjust, and quoted a resolution of the Radical Group of the German Bloc declaring that protection and prohibition rendered all commodities dear. Tho resolution added that as long as such a policy was maintained it was impossible to improve the financial position, and the resolution demanded a far-reacliing scheme of taxation of the moneyed class. Air. Llovd-George proceeded to remark that Air. Asquith had been criticised for suggesting that, in 1909, after paying the debt of £41,000,000, the sinking fund might he raided to somo extent,' but in Germany, lie said, the sinking fund had been suspended, and large sums borrowed to moet current "expenditure. So much for protectionist finance. Regarding the amendment, a tax on manufactures" was unproductive, lie said, for revomie purposes. “If you wish to increase the revenue by broadening the basis of taxation, you must tax the commodities the people consume, namely, food. Wo say, place a tax, not on the poor, but on those rich enough to bear it.”